In a recent comment to Scott Newton’s guest blog, “Why Cutting Income Tax, Cutting Red Tape and Deregulating Business is essential for the UK’s Future.” I promised to write more on UK Tax Policy.

I must add that these are my personal observations and are not intended to upset anyone…

…Including Scott who’s piece is right on the mark. (Well done Scott!)

For the past 4 years my company (www.ditg.org.uk) has been funded by the worlds largest ICT brands to establish a replacement for the Government’s Home Computing Initiative (HCI).

HCI was budget measure implemented by Gordon Brown as a Tax Incentive for employees. Under Section 320 of the Finance Act, employees could acquire up to £2500 worth computer equipment from their employer Income Tax exempt. In turn, employers enjoyed an exemption on Class 1A National Insurance on the amounts salary sacrificed by the employee.

This created an industry worth £450 Million to the UK and about 2500 related employment opportunities.

Unfortunately, the exemption was removed in Budget 2006. (It was proving too successful?)

This resulted in one of the longest cross-examinations during the reading for a finance bill in recent times. (Well worth a read on Hanson – see the below link).

The Government cited “abuse” as the reason for removing the benefit and pledged to “refocus efforts on those most in need”. Check out the written evidence taken at the time:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmtreasy/994/994we14.htm

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmtreasy/994/994we08.htm

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmtreasy/994/994we06.htm

YOU MUST READ THIS NEXT ONE, IT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY HCI, BUT IS A GREAT READ.

IT ALSO SHOW THAT INSPITE OF WHAT YOU MAY THINK, WE DO RETAIN A AN OPEN AN UNBVIASED RECORD OF PUBLIC COMMENT AS PART OF UK POLITICS.

IT IS ALSO HILARIOUS:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmtreasy/994/994we07.htm

Just in case you don’t want to click off the blog – here is a taster:

“The rhetoric of “transformation”, “reform”, “investment”, “transparency”, “devolution”, “prudent”, “cautious”, “audited” and “world class” is so indulgent and self-congratulatory that one wonders if some drafters inside the Treasury are parodying ministers.”

Professor David Heald, Comments on Budget 2006

Ouch!

At the time the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats both lobbied against the decision and the recorded debate on Hansard is a fantastic read. It is also a good introduction to political punditry and how Politician’s really debate:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo060502/debtext/60502-22.htm

(The unanswered question for me was always how you can abuse a taxation system that assesses individual taxation in arrears…but then I am bias and this blog isn’t about HCI!)

So with this background you would think that it would be easy to gain Parliamentary support for a refocused replacement scheme developed over 4 years at a cost to the IT Industry (not the tax payer!) of over £2.6 Million.

Not so…

In practice the differentiation between the Parties on the issue of supporting a tax incentives is in practice not all that large. (Sorry Scott)

ALL Ministers (despite what the expenses scandal suggests) are concerned as to how to pay for any incentive, will it fit with policy…

So why post this blog at all?

Well my personal concern is not about the detail of Tax Policies, nor believe it or not HCI.

My concern is the Conservative approach. Will it win us the election?

Have a look at the following comparison of Labor and Tax summary statements.

John questions whether there is enough clear blue water between Labour & Conservatives on Tax policy……you decide!

Treat yourself and see if you can spot the difference!

Conservatives:

“We will freeze council tax for two years by reducing wasteful spending on advertising and consultancy in central government.”

Labour:

“We are reducing the amount of central prescription so that local authorities and their partners are better able to respond to local needs and demands.”

Conservatives:

“We will introduce a £50bn National Loan Guarantee Scheme to underwrite
bank lending to businesses and get credit flowing again.”

Labour (DirectGov):

“The government is announcing that it will offer capital and asset protection on those assets most affected by the current economic conditions. This will reduce banks’ uncertainty about the value of past investments, so providing them with greater confidence to lend in the future to creditworthy businesses, homeowners and consumers.”

Labour (Policy):

“Working with banks, Labour is providing loan guarantees to businesses to help them get the credit they need.”

Conservatives:

“We will provide tax cuts for new jobs with a £2.6bn package of tax breaks to get people into work, funded by money that would otherwise go on unemployment benefit.”

Labour:

“Extra cash to encourage employers to recruit people without jobs.”

“Stepping up the training and support people need to get back to work.”

Conservatives:

“We will cut the main rate of corporation tax to 25p and the small companies’ rate to 20p, paid for by scrapping complex reliefs and allowances”

Labour:

“Allowing businesses facing difficulties to spread their tax payments on a timetable they can afford.”

Conservatives:

“We will give small and medium-sized businesses a six-month VAT holiday, funded by a 7.5% interest rate on delayed payments.”

Labour:

“We have reduce VAT to 15%”

Conservatives:

“We will cut National Insurance by 1% for six months for firms with fewer than five employees, paid for from the above changes to the company tax regime.”  

Labour:

“When it is affordable, we will re-link the basic state pension to earnings.  We aim to do this by 2012 or by the end of the next parliament at the latest.”

Conservatives:

“We will abolish Stamp Duty for nine out of ten first-time buyers and raise the Inheritance Tax threshold to £1 million. Both of these changes will be funded by a flat-rate charge on non-domiciles.”

Labour:

“Extending the Stamp Duty holiday for properties under £175,000”

“Extra mortgage protection to help families stay in their homes”

“Helping savers by increasing the threshold of Individual Savings Accounts to over £10,000”

Now hopefully some clever contributors will now explain to me the differences in the comments…WAIT, some I can see! (And before you comment, I know that the Conservatives have shown how they will pay for it !!)

But you know it all does kind of sound the same to me…and taxation detail is part of my day job…

…So what hope does the deciding electorate have?

I do sincerely hope the Tory manifesto has some really clear taxation differentiators in it.

Otherwise I might get confused and vote for the wrong Party.

Here is a thought…committing to bring back s320 income tax benefits for computers would be a start.

Hey look, it is my daily bread…      

John Laity…..

Why Cutting Income Tax, Cutting Red Tape and Deregulating Business is essential for the UK’s Future : by Scott Newton. 
 
I run a Small Business in Newcastle upon Tyne and from my own personal experiences of running a Company I have come to the following Conclusion:
 
Britain as a whole is not a Naturally Big Government Socialist Country; we never have and never will be. This nation naturally believes in Low Taxes, Deregulation and supporting out Small Business’s and Enterprises. I believe that is part of the “greatness” of Britain. We are a very hard working nation providing Wealth Creation Opportunities to all people regardless of their background or personal Circumstances. Conservatives don’t judge people by their bank account we judge them by their actions.

The entrepreneurial talent is still there in our nation, people with new ideas, new Products, new inventions which will ultimately create the jobs that this country now so desperately needs now and in the future. Since Labours win in 1997 the Business World has gradually become more and more regulated and higher taxed which as a result I regard as Sanctions by this Government against out SME’s and talent. Every Labour Government since the war has put up unemployment and created more Public Sector jobs to hide the unemployment figures, hence why we are bankrupt; everyday 2000 people lose their jobs, and 56 Business’s or more fold. This really cannot carry on.
 
Upon the Conservative Win of David Cameron ad Prime Minister, George Osbourne as Chancellor and Ken Clarke and Business Secretary, this nation and the new Leaders must  back its Business people and it’s new wave of talent to create the new opportunities for the new jobs and new ideas. First there must be a reduction in taxes, we cannot carry on with the way we are going having huge Socialist over manning and Government jobs when there is no one actually funding this none Productive Public Sector bureaucracy which many civil Servants regard as “Cushy”.
 
We must reduce the size of this Government State and bring more power back to the people.
Margaret Thatcher had the right ideas and she was excellent, I think David Cameron must have the Thatcherism fight for Business in him.
 
Deregulating Business’s is also what I regard as mandatory; so many people have the right idea and potential to start a Business but don’t actually know how, or where to start. Many of us could be Unemployed, have the idea, have the product or service that could be a perfect little new market earner, but they get told by a Government Bureaucrat at the Local Job Centre they are not eligible for funding or initial backing due to their Current circumstances which I think this is so very wrong. Hence another Labour mistake of “creed of ignorance, philosophy of failure, gospel of envy” as Winston Churchill regarded the Socialists.
Now Red Tape is a pain, I run a Business I know what it is like, luckily I have not folded as yet but this regulation and red tape is a night mare. It’s all regulation and a constant stream of tick box Paper work for Business’s and it puts no doubt many people off running their own Company. We must move away from this finger wagging, over taxing, over regulating way of Socialism and look to the future of supporting our economy and getting Britain Moving again with new Private Enterprise.
 
I think, and I hope David and George have it in them to return power back to the people and I am 100% sure they will not let us down.

Scott Newton

Nigel Farage may have grabbed the headlines when he announced he was breaking centuries of Parliamentary convention and challenging Speaker Bercow for the seat of Buckingham.  Much chatter has remained about the possibility of an Independent Candidate emerging to challenge them both.  Independent candidates could play a big role in the next election as anger continues over MP’s expenses and with Parliament failing to sanction tough action against some of the worst offenders, fury remains in the country at large.  Speaker Bercow announced this week that MP’s who ‘flipped’ their second homes to maximise their expenses or avoided paying capital gains tax will escape censure under the Official House of Commons enquiry.  That means MP’s like Elliot Morley and David Chaytor who claimed thousands for ‘phantom mortgages’ have been given the all clear by Sir Thomas Legg.  Oh and another ‘flipper’, John Bercow, wont be penalised…worth mentioning that!

Today’s guest blog is from Patrick Phillips, the man that both Bercow and Farage will come to hear much more from in the coming weeks and months.  It goes without saying that come election results night, Buckingham will certainly be a Constituency that the media will be keeping a close eye on and reporting widely.  When Patrick got in touch telling me he was standing and the reasons why, it made sense for a Guest Blog so you readers could hear his story and pass your own judgement.  A story of how a Conservative voter felt he needed to take action.   Over to you Patrick…….

—————————————————————

Superb thoughts from Guest Blogger John Laity.

———————————————–

Britain remains in recession, yet Germany and France recover……Fiscal Stimulus or Tax Breaks?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) today (23/10/09) said British gross domestic product fell by 0.4 per cent between July and September, meaning the economy has contracted for six successive quarters for the first time since records began in 1955.

With an election due by next June, the length of the downturn must be worrying for Gordo and the Labour Party, particularly as Germany and France are already out of recession. Does this show that the Labour spin machine is way off the mark:

“This Chancellor is leading the rest of the world in taking us out of recession.” Gordon Brown, Hansard, 3 June 09

Following publication of the ONS report sterling fell by more than a cent against the dollar, providing no relief for Chancellor Darling, who has forecast that UK growth will resume by the end of the year and is counting on a stronger rebound in the coming years than most independent forecasts.

UK Services contracted by 0.2 percent over the quarter, with the distribution, hotels and catering sub-sector leading the decline with a 1 per cent quarterly drop. This can only be bad news for Unemployment figures, hidden perhaps by the news that Royal Mail workers will strike for a second time…not good for business…

The ONS also showed industrial output to be weak, following a sharp monthly drop in August, and the GDP data bore this out. Industrial production fell by 0.7 per cent over the quarter, taking its annual decline to 10.4 per cent.

Commenting on growth figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) the TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

‘This is now the longest recession in modern economic history. Even the co-ordinated world-wide stimulus has not been able to halt the damage done by the financial crash.

Even if we had achieved a technical recovery today, it would not feel like a recovery to the thousands losing their jobs or afraid that they will join the dole queue in the months ahead when unemployment will continue rising. It takes more than a statistical read out and the return of big bank bonuses for a real recovery.

These worse than expected figures should head off the growing signs of complacency. The economy is still extremely fragile. Any halt in economic stimulus – or even worse, cuts in spending in a premature effort to close the deficit – could easily send us into another downwards spiral.

Politicians cannot now say that the recession is over so we can go back to treating the unemployed as work-shy scroungers rather than victims of the financial crash. Fighting unemployment – particularly among the young – must be national priority number one.’

Ouch…pokes in the eye for Gordo and Darling…best wear safety specs from now on in…

So why is it that Germany and France have recovered sooner than the UK?

The quick answer is that the UK economy was in a worse state than the rest of the world. Something I am sure all opposition parties will want to highlight.

HOWEVER, on the run up to an election we should look to dig deeper.

As late as April 2009, analysts were predicting that the outlook for the German Economy was gloomiest of all states:

“Berlin, 8 April, 2009 The outlook for Europe’s largest economy is nothing less than catastrophic. For an economy that has been historically strong, never contracting more than 1% a year since World War II, the Commerzbank forecast that it would shrink 7-9% in 2009 is not encouraging.”

However, as part of Germany’s recovery plan they instigated a sweeping range of Tax Breaks, including allowing companies to write off interest payments more easily, as well as the loosening of Gewerbesteuer, which is a local trade tax.

In addition to reducing the tax burden on business, Germany instigated a range of Tax Breaks for individuals including a measure to reduce “cold progression” — where workers’ income tax brackets rise with pay increases.

Indeed while the UK Government has pledged to remove tax breaks for Child Care Vouchers, the German Government has plans to raise child-support payments to 200 euros a month from 154 euros and lift the tax exemption for dependent children to 8,004 euros from 6,024 euros annually.

To be fair, these plans were shelved from immediate implementation on 10/10/09 by the German Government, but the difference in approach between the UK and Germany is clear.

Meanwhile, France’s Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres has classified video gaming as art. In doing so, the French gaming industry including Ubisoft, Vivendi and Infogrames received a 20 percent tax break. Gaming Projects were pre-approved to ensure they provided cultural diversity, but this is still a smart move as the Gaming Market seems to be recession proof, so a great thing to promote within your economy.

Of the projects approved, 45 per cent were Nintendo DS projects with an average budget of EUR 281,000 (GBP 250,000), 20 per cent were Wii projects for EUR 2.7 million (GBP 2.3 million), 16 per cent PC projects for 2.5 million (GBP 2.2 million), while PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 projects accounted for a further 15 per cent, averaging at EUR 11.2 million (GBP 9.9 million).

A similar project is underway for film makers, where foreign film makers can recoup up to 20 per cent of their production budget in France, up to a maximum of four million euros. The BBC have already taken advantage of this on it’s series ‘Merlin’, which is being filmed in a chateau in northern France…It seems somehow wrong that King Arthur isn’t supporting English Heritage sites…

But it is not all culture, one of the main forms of assistance granted to address the recession is an exemption from the French business rates, the taxe professionnelle.

The extent of the exemption depends on the type of business and the decisions of the local, county and regional councils, but in those ZRR communes with less than 2000 habitants, all new start-ups with less than 5 employees can get complete exemption for a period of 5 years. Similar assistance is provided in Local property taxes, but the most interesting assistance is provided in the form of employer social security contributions.

If you are proposing to take on staff in France, then there is complete exemption from the payment of employer social security contributions for any new employees, for up to 12 months, capped at 150% of the level of the basic wage…A measure that is very similar to that proposed by the UK Conservative Party, who plan to provide National Insurance exemption for new company start ups.

What has the UK done?

Chancellor Darling did implement a reduction in Value Added Tax (Input Tax / VAT) by 2.5%. However, you have to consider that many companies and organisations annually reclaim VAT as part of business expences. As such, although the stimulus is effective in passing individual households savings on everyday items, those business reclaiming VAT skew the picture. More over, as the stimulus is time limited it does little to mitigate VAT charged on long term leasing or outsourcing contracts. If you leased plant in 2009, you know that it will cost more in 2010.

The Chancellor also implemented the green car incentive program, similar to that in place in Germany…Sadly, too late for the LDV Maxus Van, but then I am not sure that the scheme would have applied in any case…

One thing is for sure. With Election 2010 looming and the difference between Tory 10% Cuts and Labour 9.8% Cuts to Public Services is so small, that the matter of taxation breaks and incentives is sure to be an interesting discussion area!

Some other things to digest:

The Australian Government announced a tax break as an ‘investment allowance’ in December 2008 aimed at helping businesses meet the challenges of the economic downturn. The government later extended this tax break in the May Budget to allow small businesses to claim a 50% tax deduction on eligible assets bought by 31 December 2009.

In New Zealand Offshore oil and gas explorers will have their tax breaks (due to expire in 2009) extended for another five years to bring additional revenues into the economy.

Huge welcome back to Scott Newton, who provides us a great thought provoking guest blog today.

—————————–

Labours Booze Britain. A drain on the NHS, A Drain on Police Resources. A waste on the Public Purse. It has got to stop under the new Conservative Administration!!!
 
After watching the TV Series Booze Britain on Bravo the TV Channel, and witnessing first hand Friday and Saturday Nights in out Town Centres I have come to the Conclusion of a Zero-Tolerance approach against these people who Drink themselves stupid, get mortal drunk, cause Trouble, start fights, then get treated on the NHS, or get arrested for Drunk and Disorderly Behaviour by the Police. Now I am not saying I am a saint, of course I am not I have been out lots of times, been drunk in the past, we all have! But I still keep that core words “Personal Responsibility” intact! There is a fine line between someone having a Good Night out, having a Laugh, then someone else Getting Politick, being Sick,  and then going to another bar to down and drink more alcohol, just for the sake of getting Mortal Drunk.
 
These people are a waste of time, a very expensive drain on the Economy; they have no “Respect” for themselves or anyone else around them. Prudence and thrift must come first under a Conservative Britain.
 
I see a huge problem of Underage Drinking here in the UK. Violence by boozed up girls and boys aged between 10 to 17 is at record Levels. Fatal Stabbings are on record Levels- mostly connected with Alcohol, and high amounts of it. This has got to stop. We have got to stop being such a Society of Wasters to a Nation of “personal Responsibility”. We in the UK are known as the Booze Brits, and we see the evidence of this all the time on Television, Newspapers of alcohol fuelled Violence. If anyone has seen the Street Crime UK Costa Del Sol programme you will know why.
 
But this again comes down to the Government in charge. And people as “individuals”  Since Labour has come to power, Alcohol related Deaths has increased. Alcohol Consumption is up Tenfold. Drink Driving is also at record Levels The NHS is stretched enough as it is and we still carry on treating these repeat offenders over and over again and it is adding to our NHS deficit. Now yes I am a Compassionate Conservative. I believe in the NHS, back the NHS and use the NHS. But the NHS is not an automatic resource for these “wasters” to use. It’s just Commons Sense that the NHS is for treatment of the Sick, the venerable and the elderly, not the repeat offender “Boozers”. If you cannot handle your Drink, Don’t drink in the First Place. That is my Policy!!
 
So again the Conservative Policy I believe should be to refuse “Repeat Offenders”. A 3 Strike rule in a 24 month Period or no NHS Treatment at all I would back. If it’s for people who are Drunk and Disorderly there should be a more severe Sentence instead of this slap on the wrist and a £40.00 ASBO fine. I think along the lines of Community Service of cleaning the Mess up on a Friday and Saturday Night that most Council workers have to do. Give them a Taste of their own Medicine so they can see what it is like. So these are my views and I would like to know other’s views as well. 
 
Scott Newton
Conservative Activist. Newcastle upon Tyne

As we learn ‘The Sun’ and its 10 million readers come home to the Conservatives, John Laity continues his look at the Labour Party Conference and Gordon Brown’s ’speech of his life’…or was it?

————————————————————

“Never stop believing in the good sense of the British people.” by John Laity

Wow what a bashing! Gordo you punchy PM you:

“Only one party with pretensions to government made the wrong choice; the Conservative Party of Britain.
They made the wrong choice on Northern Rock.
The wrong choice on jobs and spending.
The wrong choice on mortgage support.
The wrong choice on working with Europe.
The only thing about their policy that is consistent is that they are consistently wrong.”

Gordo was on form and although you wouldn’t have got even odds at the bookies on what his speech would contain, I was surprised that he was so direct. Here was a Gordo that didn’t pull his punches.

Good show Gordo, I never like to see a one sided beating!

I did have some real puke moments though.

Thanking John Smith, Neil Kinnock and John Smith for the way forward…Very twee, but a good PR ploy…”Gordo the left the middle and the right of the Labour Party!”

And then there was my Little-Britain-convulsive-hose-pipe-puke-but-no-joke-making moment:

“The first is the one I spoke about in detail on Sunday when I talked about the mission of our brave men and women in Afghanistan.
The heroism of our fighting men and women is unsurpassed and we owe them a debt we can never fully repay. And let us on behalf of the British people pay tribute to them and their courage today.
The British armed forces truly are the finest in the world. And let us say to them – all British forces will always have all the equipment they need and the best support we can give.
And conference let me say, Britain will work with President Obama and 40 other countries for peace and stability for the people of Afghanistan, and to make sure that terrorism doesn’t come to the streets of Britain.”

If that is what you truly believe Gordo, then pay the USA for the computer software upgrades keeping apache helicopters on the ground…Let LDV staff build you some bomb proof vehicles…Oh, lets face it, it is hardly worth the comment!

BUT !!!  Gordo did actually nail something for me!

“Never stop believing in the good sense of the British people.”

You see I have stopped believing…

I believe the UK People are apathetic and turned off by politics.
I believe that the Voter doesn’t know who to vote for or why to bother…After all, all Ministers pretty much ignored expenses abuse…Except maybe Vince Cable.
I also believe that the Voter is tired and feels that they can’t do anything.

And THIS last belief is what really bothers me…

We the Voters are the problem for the state of the UK…Not Brown, not Clegg, not expenses and not even the banks.

Election on election we fail to cast our vote. So we also fail to hold anyone to account.

Here are some of the examples of failure that I will take on myself…and you should too, as you live in the same society as me.

1. Fiona Pilkington, killed herself and her 18-year-old disabled daughter Francecca after being hounded by local youths. This was not a failure of the Police, nor the failure of the Local Authority, nor was it Gordo’s fault. Yes we could point the finger at any or all of them, but this was OUR failure. When questioned the neighbors of Fiona admitted this, “I should have spoken out, but feared I would be pulled into the problem.” – An honest answer and one that shows how WE are failing our communities.

Another example of our complacency:

2. Wootton Basset, close to my heart as it is my local town. But here is a thing…I DON’T want Royal Ascent for Bassett! What I really want for Wootton Bassett is for it to revert back to its unknown status. Just another small town in Wiltshire…What I want is that we don’t see any more young men or women shipped through the High street in a coffin…NO MORE PLEASE

So, in June next year VOTE !

Not for Gordo, not for Clegg, not even for the Conservatives nor any other individual party…

Vote to take on the responsibility for those things that are wrong.
Vote to start to hold to account those in power for the lack of support they show for our armed forces.
Vote for better health care, for sensible economics, for jobs, for work, for help for your neighbours.

But it is not just a vote, you should also commit to taking a stand. Stand against terrorism and not just terrorism abroad, but also where I see it in your local community. Stand up and speak out with hope, even if it puts you at risk…In doing so you might just change the opinions of those in the wrong, for the better of everyone.

Lastly, and most importantly, take a stand for fairness and honesty from our leaders and from our policy makers.

In June 2010 YOU can make a small individual statement and pick the party and leadership that will best reflect what YOU think our country needs.

And remember, June is a really good time to take a stand on your own!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-nXT8lSnPQ

So Thank you James Gordon Brown !

We will vote and we will:

“Never stop believing in the good sense of the British people.
Never stop believing we can move forward to a fairer, more responsible, more prosperous Britain.
Never stop believing we can make a Britain equal to its best ideals.
Never, never stop believing. And because the task is difficult the triumph will be even greater.”

You are right, now is not the time to give in but to reach inside ourselves for the strength of our convictions…Change, Hope and David Cameron.

Now that is beyond conference spin!

~;v Gimme some hungry chicken ~;v

Another guest blog from John Laity.  Keep em coming John….

——————————–

So following a “packed” pre-launch speech yesterday, we get some interesting openers.

“The pull of coming back to serve this Prime Minister, our leader, Gordon Brown – who was gripping this financial crisis, leading the fightback against it when so many others seemed caught in the headlights.”

He’s back !!!  Mandy’s Here !!!

Yes, Peter brings some enthusiasm to a lack luster and tired looking conference so far. A welcome and entertaining relief from those sentenced to a week in Brighton.

Amongst some classic Mandelson Vandalism’s were the following gems:

“I did not choose this party.  I was born into it. It is in my blood and in my bones.”

And like Jesus the party faithful ate his body and drank his blood…but then came my predictions from yesterday:

“A Labour Government has never been more needed.
- Needed to fight back against the recession.
- Needed to build and secure our future economic strength.
- And needed to ensure we pay down debt in a way that is fair and protects jobs, homes and our frontline public services.
And yet, we must face facts. Electorally, we are in the fight of our lives. And, yes, we start that fight as underdogs.”

Now this is worrying, the spin master has laid down the rules. We will now face an unrelenting unmoving non-wavering line upon these issues. Labour are fighting back you know!

But there is hope…In some gutter slinging we now have “Boy George” and “Shallow David Cameron”…Good news, as such slinging is bad news for Votes…

But note that it will come from Lord Mandelson, not from Gordo…No the spin machine is too good for that.

But what of the other speakers?

Hilary Ben, a past Labour big hitter stepped up, quoting Roosevelt and the great Depression and then drawing down from Obama: “It is with hope that we can – and we will – change the world for the better.”
Eddy Miliband, a past contender to the crown, “David Cameron is good at green stunts. The huskies. The bike – with the car and driver following behind. The wind turbine on the roof.”
Lord Adonis, “Join Labour on this great journey. Let’s not go down the Tory dead-end street. do so.”

My interest was most peaked by Tessa Jowell, who quoted Obama and then compared the general public (that she meets traveling around the country) to Olympians, “They may not mount the podium to receive a medal, the adulation of a nation ring in their ears.”…Bronze medals for everyone then!

But certainly we started to get a feel for what the big hope really was for Labour…Don’t let the Conservative wield Obama style “Change”!

Lord Mandelson laid some traps:

“Well, the Tories may have skimmed the headline summary of the New Labour manual.  But they never bothered to read the book. If they had they would know what real change involves.  They would know what a painful process it is. We in this hall know what it took to make the change. Show me what has really changed in the Conservative Party.”

But the real speech today to listen to was from Gordo’s Number 2. The reluctant resident from number 11 gave a good account of what Labour have done to stem the global thermonuclear meltdown of the world finance system. He told us how Gordo had single handedly stopped us from dying in the nuclear winter caused by the collapse of (Northern Rock?) our entire monetary system…Impressive stuff…

But in the impressive list of godly monies spent to help us recover were some interesting omissions:

No monetary account of the billions handed out to the banks…as to do so would have eclipsed the monies quoted as being spent on Jobs and Industry

No mention of what was being spent to win the war in Afghanistan…to bring home troops safely. I suspect we will get that from Gordo tomorrow.

So all eyes will now turn to Gordo, who now not only wants a televised debate now (apparently)…he wants a whole load of them…See he was never scared of Cameron, he just didn’t want Nick Clegg involved.

John Laity has his passions running high at the moment and provided another cool blog entry.  John, rest assured that more people will read this than there were at the Conference Hall listening to Gordon Brown yesterday!  Over to John…..

——————————————————————————————

“The Underdogs Fight for a Better Future Against the Tories”

So we now have the official party line for Conference from Gordo.

We could laugh at the admission of being the underdog, but the language used here is very important:

1. We all like to back the underdog
2. Better Future, recognises we are upset
3. Fight, Fighting Back, etc. are all incredibly powerful statements when we have 2-3 young soldiers dying each day in Afghanistan…

This is good spin…

It is now vitally important that Conservatives point out that Gordo is not fighting back in Afghanistan, nor is he helping the UK fight back unemployment , nor has he fought back against the bonus banking culture. The only think he is fighting for is credibility within a tired Government.

THE MORE IMPORTANT NEWS TODAY IS:

Angela Merkel has claimed victory in the national elections in Germany that took place today. Her victory is enhanced by the fact that center-right parties won the elections overall, giving Merkel the opportunity to form a center-right government that is business friendly…

Merkel was popular because of her stable, calm governance of the economic situation. During the election, she appealed to the German people to not take a chance by changing horses in mid-stream (so to speak)…Surly this is bad news as it provides confidence for Gordo (who stood next to Merkel last week at G20)? NOT SO!

The German centre right campaigned for a stronger line against the banks, more prudence in public services and a pledge for TAX CUTS!

The German public were not stupid, they knew that only investment in Industry and individuals will bring with it the growth that will allow you to tax and address the public spending deficit. They gave a resounding NO VOTE to those party’s taking the left of centre view!

Now we have exposed the argument that both the Tories and Labour will cut services, we should not shy away from committing to targeted tax cuts that will stimulate recovery. They should be:

- Employers NIC breaks for employers investing in training
- Tax Breaks for those making house hold investments in broadband and technology (that will facilitate reductions in spending on public services as we can reduce the cost of delivering them)
- Tax Increases on Banking Bonus’s

Now is the time for some George Osbourne slam dunking!

IT WILL BE TAX POLICY THAT WINS THE NEXT ELECTION…NOT SPEND POLICY!

Back by popular demand, John Laity with another thought provoking guest blog.  Over to you John.

———————————————————

Weebles Wobble but they don’t fall down

So after a week of media wind up we all were starting to believe that President Obama was going to snub poor old Gordo.

There was going to be no room at the “cool” table for our Prime Minister as he was not a player…Did you fall for it?

When it comes to spin there is nobody better than the Labour Party.

Sat in his corporate Learjet, soaring around North America, surrounded by press. Did anyone think to ask him about his carbon footprint? Or make the obvious comment that whilst he flew half the BBC around North America, our troops in Afghanistan were having to hire in aging Soviet helicopters for provide air cover and air transport…

…No of course not. We were falling hook line and sinker for the slight of hand.

“Brown nosing” was named after our Gordo and whilst we were wanting him to feel uncomfortable, he was playing his trump card.

You see the sheen has worn off President Obama. He is struggling with health care reform. His polls are slumping. He too is plagued by Casualty figures, Recession and rising Unemployment…There was just no way he was going to do anything difficult, other than postpone his meeting with the UK to smack Gordo a but for freeing Libya’s Bomber.

So prior to going into Party Conference, Gordo gets his one-to-one back patting session. For all the World to see, President “Chef” Obama served Gordo a delicious platter of Chocolate Salty Balls on how things are starting to getting better…

Gone was the Obama “Each of us will make it happen”, in was the new “Look you have to believe in what we are doing, because things are getting better”

Gordo sucked long on the Balls and will now deliver it back at conference.

Poor David Cameron…His balls are about to be burned as the Labour party Spin Monster begins to take over. By the end of Conference, Gordo will have single handedly solved the economic melt down…

Some suggestions on how to beat the Spin Monster:

1. David, stop asking for a televised debate….It looks like you are picking on the inept.

2. David, get on a VC10 out of Brize Norton. Go to Afghanistan, but DO NOT WEAR A SUIT! Get yourself in a snatch land rover and go on patrol. (Have the press see you having a Ross Kemp butt clenching experience!) DO NOT WONDER ABOUT TALKING TO TROOPS! Get on the front line, with a blue flack jacket and helmet on. Kiss the ground and swear as the Taliban dish you up some lead based laxative. Then come back to the UK and tell us what you found out we need. Meet some bereaved families, support those who need help.

3. David, do an OK photo shoot or better yet get your wife on the cover of GQ. It is called “doing a Berlusconi”. We will all hate you because your wife is hot, but equally all want to be you…So we will vote for you…donate the proceeds to Help for Hero’s or indeed any Charity close to your heart.

4. Keep doing what you are doing…weebles can’t wobble, when they are knee deep in crap.

Great to have Scott Newton back with another great blog contribution.  Over to you Scott.  Thanks, as ever, for your support.

————————————————————————-

LABOUR INVESTMENT Vs TORY CUTS, ANOTHER PATHOLOGICAL LIE FROM LABOUR! AND WINTER OF DISCONTENT THE SECOND INEVITABLE?
 
So, Gordon Brown has finally said the Dreaded C Word ‘Cuts’. This time he is not referring to the Conservative Party with his Socialist dogmatic attitude. This time he is actually referring to his own Party, His own Policy, and His Understanding that we are officially bankrupt as a Country and the only way to reduce the Public Sector Debt is with Cuts. So the repeated phrases from Brown like, ‘Tory Cuts Vs Labour Investment is out the Window’ just like Gordon Brown and his Labour Government will be in the next General Election
 
I was watching the TUC live on BBC Parliament when the Prime Minister was making his annual Speech. He struck me as being a ‘bundle of Nerves’ when talking to the Congress. The Union’s were being typical of Protectionism for State Employed workers, demanding safety and Continuous Employment for all employees in the Recession. I think people like Brendan Barber & other Trade Union Bosses are living in a Dream World when it comes to making so much of a demand for protectionism and full state employment, when those in the productive Private Sector are really feeling the pinch due to Labour’s awful economic Policy since 1997.  Brown’s acts as Chancellor of keeping no Capital Afloat in the Treasury in case of a rainy Day have led to the demise of this Nation. He Spent, Spent, and Spent as Chancellor. When Sir John Major left office in the Labour win of 1997, interest Rates were Low, Debt’s Low, a Private Sector Economy Booming, a Managed Civil Service, and also Employment falling to record low numbers.  John Major had 1000x the integrity and Economic Competence of Alastair Darling, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown put together.

We have once again arrived at the time old Truth that all Labour Government’s run out of Money. We have a huge Government State squeezing the Productive bit of the Economy, Union’s once again out of control with Demands of Protectionism and more State Jobs being Created, we have a Bankrupt NHS which will have to be seriously looked at in 2011 if it is to be saved as a National Asset, A Welfare State in desperate need of reform, The Dark Prospect’s of Brown and Darling running to the IMF in need of emergency Capital.

So these next 8-9 Month’s before Election time is going to be played very dirty by Labour. But the people of the United Kingdom are wise and not stupid, they will not fall for it this time. So Brown save yourself the Bother, Resign get down to the Palace and Call that General Election! We in the Conservative Party are ready to Govern with a United Team, a United Party and an Economic Plan to move the country forward! And I will put every bit of faith in David and George. There is also the time old truth that Conservative Government always inherit a Bankrupt Nation a Labour Government. And we always seem to fix the problem!
 
Thank you. Scott Newton-Conservative Party Member. Newcastle upon Tyne.

Guest Blog from John Laity on the hot topic of the day….unemployment.  Over to you John………..

——————————

UK unemployment rises to 2.47m

Britain’s jobless rate climbed to its highest in almost 13 years in July and while there were signs the pace of layoffs may be slowing, analysts cautioned dole queues could lengthen for some time yet.

The Office for National Statistics said the number of Britons out of work on the internationally-comparable ILO (International Labour Organisation) measure rose by 210,000 to 2.47 million in the three months to July. That took the jobless rate up to 7.9 per cent, the highest since November 1996.

Unemployment is a lagging indicator and both analysts and policymakers have warned it would continue to rise even as the economy comes out of the worst recession in decades.

Some expect the jobless total to hit three million next year, bad timing for Labour and an election by June.

The number of people claiming unemployment benefit rose by 24,400 to 1.607 million in August, the highest since May 1997.
…So expect more Labour cuts than they can admit to !

Always great when we have a guest blog on the site.  John Laity is a great friend to this site and again has written a very thought provoking piece on what more can be done in Afghanistan.  Thanks John.  Keep them coming. 

Over to John.  Let him know your views…..

——————————————-

Afghanistan

Trueblueblood has been very active in highlighting issues with resourcing and strategy in Afghanistan. Under which you will usually find a ranting (badly spelt) comment from me. The PM’s Friday’s speech drew me out a bit earlier  than usual :0)

On Friday Gordon Brown announced that the UK’s aims in Afghanistan are “realistic and achievable” in a speech defending the government’s strategy.

Prior to this speech and in a move reminiscent of Robin Cook’s resignation Ministerial aide and ex-army Major, Eric Joyce (MP for Falkirk) quit, questioning the government’s strategy.

I salute Eric Joyce for being honest and having the courage to speak out.

WE MUST HAVE A CLEAR AND UNWAVERING STRATEGY FOR AFGHANISTAN.

Eric Joyce is wholly correct that such a strategy must address public opinion and recognise the courage and sacrifice of our UK Armed Forces and their families.  Any strategy we devise is built on their sacrifice:

“The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 212 after the death of a soldier from 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment due to a gunshot wound sustained while on patrol in Helmand province on 3 September.” BBC Website

Even as I type, this statistic is already out of date! So please check for yourself:

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8040620.stm

This site details all UK casualties in Afganistan and Iraq…It is a troubling site where the face of nearly every casualty has been recorded. A reminder of the cost of the conflict, but  also a chance to remember.

To date we have been fighting a “search and destroy” action, to break down organised Taliban forces. Panthers Claw illustrates how our conventional forces can successfully clear an area of insurgent forces. Albeit at a high cost.

Here is the bad news, fighting a group of insurgents is an achievable task for a superior force, but it drives the enemy into smaller fragmented units…Harder to find, harder to stop. Denied open movement these groups will now employ guerrilla and terror tactics…with time on their side.

IED’s, Sniping, Poisoning, mines, traps, trip wires, suicide bombs, rocket attacks, kidnapping, rape and intimidation.

It is at this point of the conflict that the Government has to truly commit to the “long haul” with a clear strategy for when to withdrawal. Failure to do so will simply create a meat grinder, where the lack of a clear objective and timetable gives advantage to the guerilla’s fighting tactics.

The long haul means MORE troops and MORE money to be spent. It also means MORE casualties and MORE fatalities. All this will be over a long, long time.

Let’s be clear, if you have children aged 10 – 12 now, they could be serving in a police action in Afghanistan by the time they are 18. This is not a guess, you can look at the world’s history on guerrilla conflicts:

Examples of successful guerrilla warfare against a native regime;

Cuban Revolution

Chinese Civil War

Sandinista Revolution

Uganda

Liberia

Vietnam

Cambodia

Foreign forces intervened in all these countries, but the power struggles were protracted and eventually all resolved locally. I.E. Foreign forces did not “win” they moved out to allow for a local reconciliation.

Lest we forget, we can also specifically consider Afghanistan’s own history of guerilla action:

First Anglo-Afghan War of 1838–1842

Second Anglo-Afghan War of 1878–1880

Third Anglo-Afghan War 1919 – where the Afghan people gained independence from the British Empire

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan 1979 – 1989

So can a strategy of “Regime Change” establish democracy and a fairer society? Will this really establish a safer western society? Will it eliminate terrorist training grounds?

Possibly, but the creation of a new regime, lawful state and stable society will take at least a generation…Look to Northern Ireland to understand how difficult such things are and how long things will take to establish peace…Also, in this case you must factor the enemy’s resolve.

“Why does the guerrilla fighter fight? We must come to the inevitable conclusion that the guerrilla fighter is a social reformer, that he takes up arms responding to the angry protest of the people against their oppressors, and that he fights in order to change the social system that keeps all his unarmed brothers in ignominy and misery.” Che Guevara

Social reform may not seem to the case with the Taliban, but by imposing religious beliefs and religious law, the Taliban believe they are improving the lives and well being of their people in this life AND the next one! As such you have to consider the fact that the general population within Afghanistan may not like the Taliban regime, but are driven by faith not to question huge parts of Taliban belief.

In stopping the Taliban our strategy moving forward has to be to deny popular support from the civilian population. This has to be done by improving the lives of the population…A population that has been in conflict for over 3 generations.

A friendly population will be of immense importance to the Taliban fighters, providing shelter, supplies, financing, intelligence and recruits. The “base of the people” is thus the key lifeline of their guerrilla movement. Bullets, helicopters and personnel vehicles will not “win the fight against the Taliban”. Education, Schools, healthcare, water, roads and commerce might…Most of which we can’t seem to get right for our own citizens!

Simple things we should be seeing and asking of the Government:

1. The deployment of dog handlers – Trained dogs can locate explosives and those individuals who handle them

2. The deployment of bomb disposal teams and robots – Technology proved in Northern Ireland!

3. The deployment of large numbers of UAVs – safely monitor roads, recon remote areas and  prevent the planting of IEDs

 4. The deployment of scout aircraft and helicopters  – to monitor roads and patrol remote areas

Question: Hey be radical… Why can’t this extend to inclu de £20,000 Microlights?  Below is a picture from a trial in  Iraq.

They can fly at 110 mph well above the effective range (365 m /1200 ft) of the AK-47…Quite happy at 6000 ft

 Lastly, some simple lessons we should have learned by now:

Painting a landrover defender a sandy colour and adding some steel plate does not
make it armoured or safe from IEDs…

Helicopters are a good thing to have deployed in large numbers if you don’t want to drive from A to B…

The 1 – 3 rule: If we loose one soldier a day, then we have to deploy one solder a day to remain at the same level of operational strength. However, this also means we need to place another soldier in reserve and then recruit and train another to remain at the same level of operational readiness. 

 The 1 – 10 rule: Casualties draw down far more resources than fatalities, so have a greater impact on operational effectiveness.

Lastly, The Total Bullshit rule: “we are raising troop numbers from 8,300 to 9,200” …Total spin! When this was announced, 2,469 UK personnel had been aeromedically evacuated on medical grounds and 212 deaths. Casualties mean smaller numbers in units, which means our combat effectiveness must be reducing.

We can only raise operational effectiveness by deploying a greater number of active units and reserve personnel. These aren’t individual policemen patrolling on street corners, they are fighting units.

Stop quoting big numbers about troops on the ground. Fighting units are teams! How many teams are on the ground at full fighting strength?

“Just point at them like this, they don’t like it up em you see.”

Readers of this blog and Facebook Page, will know of my high regard of Sue Doughty.  She is a forthright, strong, opinated lady, who is always worthy of listening to.  Over to you Sue…..

———————————————————————-

Orchestrating

One has to hand it to David Cameron, He is leader of a party on a high, in the ascendancy, leading a load of ostentatious people each of whom are willing to put their heads above the parapet and get elected – a band of Prima Donnas.

It cannot be that difficult really, Zubin Mehta managed to cope with Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingo on the same stage, made them work in one team. Conducting two full orchestras at the same time as one.

Taking that analogy further could be faintly interesting. Who would be the Pavarotti, touring the world wowing people with his voice? Daniel Hannan, It has to be him. He seems to have taken on the mantle from Michael Heseltine and made it bigger and brighter, younger. Made it now. He says what we want said though we do not know or have the ability to use the words he has in his palate for us.

But Mehta had it easy compared to being leader of the Conservative Party. He didn’t have hecklers in the audience shouting that the two orchestras are divided and not playing the same tune. The records show they were, and David’s team are.

Political commentators always observe that this country does not vote for divided parties, same as they would not remain supporters of a divided football team. And on that cause, the desperate clinging onto power motivation of New Labour, voices are now shouting that some of the team are out of line, out of tune, off song.

Each grape in a bottle of Paul Mas Sauvignon Blanc was an individual each good enough to be regarded as the best but together, pure nectar. Each selected Cons candidate is just such a select grape, the best of the best, though it would be more red,  ruby, or rose than blanc in today’s Britain. The result of the meeting is what this country needs, and the sooner the better. I am not saying the Conservative Party will ever be turned into an amalgamous conglomerated glob of single mindedness like some dogmatic band chanting a mantra written a hundred or more years ago for a society we will never experience. It cannot. Of course it cannot, it evolves with time, youth and experience learning from each other. And that is why it works so well. With such an assembly of participants, such a mixed congregation, the outlook is all things, far seeing and short sighted, wide ranging internationalist and local all at the same time.

Yes one has to hand it to David Cameron. He is getting it right, doing the impossible without upsetting any of his team of Prima Donnas.
I cannot wait to read the full manifesto I keep seeing snippets of. Hearing bits of. But wait we must until the present establishment has to call a general election and packs its bags ready to leave the levers of power to successors chosen by the people to serve for the people.

Good Grief, this country gets more like Cuba every day and we just can’t take much more! Stealth taxes are killing what is left of the wealth of Olde England.

Sue

Great to have a Guest Blog today.  Scott Newton describes, in a thoughtful piece, why he is a Conservative.  Thanks for the great blog Scott.  Looking forward to more of your future blogs.  Over to Scott….

——————————————————————-

What makes me a Conservative?
 
People who are Conservative believe in the power of the people and the ‘individual’ not in the heavy regulating, finger wagging, Nationalising dictate of Socialism. Socialism never has and it never will work. We have learnt that throughout history and it is always a Conservative Government who fixes the problems that the UK Faces.
 
I passionately believe people have a right by their own Effort’s to try their best in Life and in Business which Creates Wealth Creation and Opportunity. That is why I believe in the areas of Low Taxation and minimum regulation of Business which gives people much more of an incentive to try their best. I believe a Government’s first duty is to protect the people but not to rule their lives. I also believe in Competition. We have Competition in Politics we should also have it all industries. Government should not rule Business, as it subsidizes them. The only Government I would ever be part off is the one that gives power back to the people. 
 
I was brought up in Working Class Surroundings but to a Conservative Supporting Family. My Parent’s used the Right to buy scheme introduced by the then Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1985 to buy their Council House for only £9,000. It is now worth £120,000. We have a Conservatory, an outdoor Pond, a Converted Loft and much more. Had Labour been in they would never have allowed the Sale of Council Houses or the investment and renovations we added.
 
My SME Business also consists of Privatisation in once State Run Utilities. I run a LTD Company and it is very successful. Without Mrs. Thatcher’s Privatisation Scheme I would not be in Business and there would again be no competitiveness for Business. I pay my high taxes and I employ 4 people. Has taxes been lower I could take on someone else.
 
We again next year are going to be elected into a Nation that has 1.2 Trillion pound’s worth of debt, a failed Schooling System, a Benefit reliant system that has 6 million out of work with a mixture of different benefit claims not including the possibility of the 3.5 million on the Job Seekers Allowance and rising when we come into power. Everything Labour has done has failed us, failed Business and it is failing our future Generation’s and children. Every British Child now owes around £25,000. How can Labour Carry on with this reckless behaviour of economic irresponsibility?
 
Do the Right thing people and Vote Conservative in the next Local & General Election near you.
 
Mr. Scott P Newton

This is the next in our series of Guest Blogs.  RussRec is an entrepreneur, with his own small business, the very person that forms the bedrock of this great nation.  But whilst he takes risks and works all the hours he can to help his business survive and grow, the Government is not…NOT…helping entrepreneurs and small businesses like Russrec’s….small businesses who create employment, create investment and will help pull this economy out of recession.  This is a personally written blog and one I think you will find very powerful. 

Thanks RussRec. 

——————————————————————————————

I run a small business specialising in recruitment. As early as December 2007 we saw that there was a likely credit crunch coming as the world owed trillions of dollars, and that the level of credit was unsustainable. Despite our continued success we downsized our office space, delayed decisions on replacing IT infrastructure and reduced our overheads. We increased our margins, and enjoyed a very successful period of trading from January 2008 through to July, we did begin to question our judgement but held firm as interest rates, inflation and the price of food, oil and energy were continuing to rise.

Around September 15^ththe business world literally stopped. Within a week the job briefs we were working on went ‘on-hold’ and no new ones came in. In one respect we were relieved as we were proved right but the lack of job briefs was increasingly worrying. We were busy though with hundreds of middle managers being made redundant – so we helped them the best we could. We setup new services, looked at new ventures with third parties and spoke to hundreds of our contacts, seeking briefs to fill. Whilst there were roles, there were not enough to sustain the business  so we had to make some decisions. Recognising that we were going to run out of money by the last quarter 2009, we set about radically slashing our overheads. We took pay cuts, and reduced our other overheads significantly. Our efforts in generating new business was beginning to pay off, however, people were very wary about hiring  so we spoke to our bank (Barclays) with whom we had been with for almost 20 years about a business loan – just in case. We were ‘allocated’ an Account Manager – Darren, who we met and seemed confident that we would be applicable, if not from the bank but via the Government’s much lauded Working Capital Scheme. We provided young Darren, with information, then more information, and even more information. His positive demeanour turned increasingly cautious.  Some 6 weeks after we had approached our bank, Barclays Bank he said our application had been declined, as our sector is ‘too high a risk’.  Part of the money was to pay Corporation Tax for the previous financial year, where our prudence resulted in greater profit which meant more tax. We have now applied to defer the tax payment and are waiting for a decision. In the meantime we have had to reduce our overheads further, moving out of our office, taking an even bigger pay cut and not making pension payments.

As I write this I worry for the future. The current government have failed people like me – at a time when I should be really planning for my long term financial security, I find myself in a situation where all my savings, assets, and income which I have built up steadily have decreased significantly in the past 18 months. The blame lies with this government’s, indeed the current Prime Minister’s inability to manage the financial services industry. The world followed the UK, bought into Brown’s eulogies about prudence and was duped by Gordon Brown’s fiscal policy that allowed greedy bankers to make millions, creating a credit bubble that burst.

The schemes to help small businesses the Government have created are nothing but hot air as far as I am concerned, even deferring of tax is a rigmarole. I have to pay  some income tax ‘on account’ for this year’s earnings! I can ill-afford it and my salary has been reduced by 30%, yet my accountant is not confident I will be able to defer it – if the Inland Revenue demands his Corporation Tax, we will put the business into voluntary liquidation and they can be our other creditor (Barclays!). Even though we are hopefully over the worse – as I wtite this in my makeshift office in my kitchen at home it makes me VERY angry that I am here as a direct result of bad Government.