This is part of a series of eighteen questions from The Democracy Club asked of the Isle of Wight candidates in the 2010 General Election (background).
National statement one: Many people think taxes will have to rise in the next parliament to cut Britain’s budget deficit. If they do, any increases should disproportionately be paid by higher earners.
| Candidate | Position | Comment | |
| Ian Dunsire (English Democrats Party) | agrees | “…but there are not enough "higher earners" to shoulder the whole burden. We must all help reduce the national debt burden in some way – it is not "somebody else’s problem".” | |
| Bob Keats (Green Party) | strongly agrees | “Ours is one of the most unequal societies in the developed world. This leads to hiugher prision populations other social ils. A more eqaul society is happier.” | |
| Pete Harris (Independent) | is neutral | “Taxation for all is already far too high and a disincentive to hard work. As an alternative we should actively channel cash resources towards positive forms of expendature (NHS etc) and away from negative ones (EU, Benefits culture etc)” | |
| Paul Martin (Middle England Party) | agrees | “But this is a side issue really, the challenge is to have a fair benefits system (abused at vast exspense at present) and lock down the offensive banking culture which does more to damage national moral than any other single issue.” | |
| Paul David Randle-Jolliffe (Independent) | strongly disagrees | “We should copy Canada, they had severe financial problems, cut Gov spending 60% the whole economy recovered rapidly, services were not badly afected, in the current crisis they were unscathed! we should also cut tax to 20% and attract investment!” | |
| Mark Chiverton (Labour Party) | strongly agrees | “A progressive taxation system where the rich pay their fair share is essential to any just society.” | |
| Michael Tarrant (UK Independence Party – UKIP) | disagrees | “I don’t like the word "disproportionately" – yes high earners should bear some of the cost but not to the extent where we force high earning individuals and companies abroad.” | |
| Jill Wareham (Liberal Democrats) | strongly agrees |
Those who didn’t provide responses: Andrew Turner – Conservative, Geof Clynch – BNP and Edward Corby – Independent
The idea for this whole idea came from the excellent The Democracy Club and answers are hosted by the splendid
Election issue of TheyWorkForYou.
Image: konradfoerstner under CC BY 2.0
