Oh look, Alan Johnson has performed a hasty Reverse Cable. Only a few days ago, the
Shadow Chancellor suggested that he didn’t believe a graduate tax
– Ed Miliband’s chosen policy – could work. Yet, in a wilting Thunderer column (£) for the Times
today, he now claims that “there is a very strong case for a graduate tax.” From unworkable to strong, in only four days. Sounds like a disclaimer for Ikea flatpack furniture, not a
policy position.
In a separate article, the Times characterises this as a minor victory for Ed Miliband – and so, in some respects, it is. He has managed to rein his Chancellor on this issue, if not on 50p tax, and the Labour leadership are now backing the same policy, albeit a misguided one. But this situation still typifies the party’s clumsy response to the brouhaha over tuition fees.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in