POLL TAX

Early day motion 1285, tabled 26 May 2004 by Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party). Signed by 20 members.

That this House notes the comments made by the honourable Member for Meriden in an interview with The Times on Tuesday 25th May, when she responded to a question on whether any future Conservative Government would reintroduce the poll tax by stating that 'We will look at that. Fairness is an issue that needs to be addressed and it is one of the principles we will apply to whatever the Government comes up with'; recalls that the poll tax was one of the most unfair policies of previous Tory Governments, which not only was unfairly introduced in Scotland before the rest of the UK but also imposed an unfair burden on individuals; believes that these comments reinforce the view of the vast majority of the country that a future Conservative Government would be a disaster of Thatcherite proportions; and further believes that any changes to the system of local government finance in Scotland should be modelled on a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 8, Labour 5, Scottish National Party 4, Plaid Cymru 3.