Diane Abbott says a wealth tax of 2% on people with assets over £10m would raise £24bn a year
While it is hardly surprising that Diane Abbott, who has been on the left of the Labour party all her career and who was shadow home secretary under Jeremy Corbyn, is opposed to the proposed disability benefit cuts (see 9.31am), what is remarkable about this issue is that it has united the Labour left with some of those at the opposite end of the party’s ideological spectrum. In her Today interview Abbott pointed out that she is now aligned on this with Ed Balls. After her interview, John McTernan, who when he was Tony Blair’s political secretary devoted much of his time to marginalising people like Abbott, posted a message on social media saying that one of her comments was excellent.
@HackneyAbbott Excellent suggestion on @BBCr4today that the government should be a “bit more Attlee” - a warfare state must have a welfare state.
Little-known Tory party chairman Nigel Huddleston and the entire party board are heading to the Bodleian Library in Oxford to examine the official party archive. It features leaflets, handbills, car stickers, posters, manifestoes, and direct mail dating back to 1867 when the Earl of Derby was party leader.
Huddleston and a team of researchers will pore over papers in search of policy ideas, slogans, and campaign themes.
Continue reading...
0 Comments