Jonathan Hulley, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Twickenham in 2024, has written for ConservativeHome on the real cost of Liberal Democrat spending plans.
In his article, Jonathan argues that the Liberal Democrats have built their appeal around an attractive but unrealistic promise: more welfare, more public spending and Scandinavian-style public services, without being clear about who will pay.
As Jonathan puts it: “You cannot promise everything to everyone without admitting who will pay.”
The article is particularly relevant in Twickenham because Jonathan highlights comments by Sir Vince Cable, Munira Wilson’s Liberal Democrat predecessor as MP for Twickenham. Cable has been unusually candid about the tax rises that may be needed to fund higher spending, including “higher VAT, higher rates of income tax, and higher marginal rates on top earners.”
Jonathan argues that this exposes the central weakness in the Liberal Democrat approach. The party often suggests that higher spending can be paid for simply by taxing “the rich” or large businesses. But, as Jonathan notes, Cable himself accepts that “rich people are not idiots” and will move to minimise their tax liabilities.
The same problem applies to business taxes. Jonathan warns that companies do not simply absorb higher costs. They are often passed on to consumers through higher prices, or to employees through lower wages. He also quotes Cable’s own admission that “penal taxation of company profits makes no sense if the aim is to promote investment.”
For Jonathan, this is the choice the Liberal Democrats do not want to face. In his words: “Politics is about choices. It is about telling voters not just what you want to spend, but how you will pay for it.”
Conservatives believe Britain needs a stronger private sector, higher growth, more investment and lower taxes. Jonathan’s article is a timely reminder that Liberal Democrat promises are not cost-free.
In Twickenham, residents deserve to know who would really pay the bill.
You can read the full article HERE
