Comments on: Should protesting pensioners be jailed?

By: Ellee

Ellee — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:39:19 +0000

Well Richard Fitzmaurice had his five minutes of fame and was freed after his outstanding arrears were paid, I believe by his family:
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=25400&in_page_id=34

By: Snafu

Snafu — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:42:33 +0000

VS, totally agree!

Besides, if he doesn’t go to prison, why should I bother to pay my council tax either?

By: VS

VS — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:09:03 +0000

People commenting here seem to forget that those on low incomes can claim _council tax benefit_. Pensioners just on the basic state pension do not have to pay the full council tax. Only those pensioners who have significant pensions will be doing so.

A lot of the criticism of council tax is based on ignorance. Property is far more lightly taxed in the UK than in other countries – being exempt from VAT in most cases and capital gains tax. To abolish council tax would be to shift the burden of taxation still further on those with average incomes but few assets [the local income tax would make a young worker weighed down by student loans, living in a rented room - due to high house prices- and earning £20,000 pay more than a pensioner earing £19,000 living in a £500,000+ house and with large amounts of savings/assets].

By: Snafu

Snafu — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:13:57 +0000

Ellee, I disagree. Why should local taxes be based merely on the ability to pay?

If he opposes high levels of council tax, he should vote for a party proposing cuts to local services. That local council tax only partially funds local services should be ignored!

Richard Fitzmaurice can console himself that approximately 25% of his council tax payments are used to pay the pensions of former council workers rather than provide him with any services for his money. He could also console himself with the idea that people on benefits and students can be exempt from the council tax!

Should a large family with three children living in a small house pay more council tax than a pensioner couple living in a large house?

By: Nich Starling

Nich Starling — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 23:05:04 +0000

P.S. I appreciate the link to your site.

By: Nich Starling

Nich Starling — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 23:04:24 +0000

I appreciate you have your own views. My blog also is not a mouthpiece of the Liberal Democrats. Free speech rules !!

I wasn’t aware of any alternative policy the Tories had for council tax. It has never been published and the last time ti was discussed Michael Howard was leader and he fully supporter Council Tax, as did the Tory Party.

By: Ellee

Ellee — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 17:26:45 +0000

My views are my own and not based on any party policy. I know that Conservatives are against the present council tax system and this levy will change when they are in power.

By: Nich Starling

Nich Starling — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 17:20:10 +0000

I don’t like people who with-hold taxes at all. In the same way as I dsliked those CND people in the 80′s who refused to pay part of their income tax because it was to be spent on Trident missile systems.

We have a society which says that taxes are levied and you pay them. If you don’t like the taxes then campaign for a party with a different policy on taxation.

I like the way you are supporting a system which is based more on people’s ability to pay. Its called Local Income Tax, its a Lib Dem policy which has been tried and tested all over the world and the tax system the Inland Revenue uses is already set up to run it (the computer system was bought lock stock and barrel from a country that has LIT).

You make good valid points (for a Tory !)

By: Tom Amos

Tom Amos — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 23:27:19 +0000

Pensioners shouldn’t have to pay council tax in an ideal world. A local income tax would be a good start.

By: james higham

james higham — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:47:19 +0000

This case made me wonder why/if it is only pensioners who take this drastic action to complain about the council tax, which has soared 84% under Labour. What about the rest of the population struggling to keep its head above water?

clearly you don’t visit DK, Ellee.