Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Booth
I would like to see one form of taxation only, a locally based income tax. Suppose each tier of elected government, beginning with the Parish Councils, and then up through District Councils, up to County Councils, and Metropolitan councils had an absolute power of veto over passing any of this locally raised money up to the next level. Each body would therefore be able to squeeze off any unpopular government measure. The Wallies of Westminster would be dependent upon people at a local level to finance their mad schemes, and there would almost certainly not be a single penny for Brussels.
People would then have more control, and this would be meaningful. Voting in elections would have a purpose. In my opinion, taxation needs to be localised.
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I agree that three need to be some pretty hefty tax cuts, but in your scenario tobacco and alcohol aren't taxed and also there would have to be huge holes in public spending with no money getting to Westminster. There does need to be decentralisation - but there needs to be a common sense line drawn somewhere and "one form of taxation only" is way past it, for the sake of national-level policing, prisons, education, transport etc. which needs Westminster funding for guidelines.