James Forsyth James Forsyth

The Tories should not let their caution on tax conceal the radicalism of their other policies

James Forsyth reviews the week in politics

issue 22 March 2008

James Forsyth reviews the week in politics

What a difference a poll lead makes. If Philip Hammond, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, had given an interview appearing to rule out tax cuts in a Conservative first term, when the Tories were behind in the polls or only marginally ahead, there would have been a full-scale revolt. To add fuel to the fire, Hammond talked about government storing up money in a ‘pot’ before giving it back — language which suggests that Hammond has forgotten whose money it is in the first place. But a YouGov poll showing the Tories with a 16-point lead which appeared on the same morning as the Hammond interview quelled any rebellion before it could get going.

Hammond’s comments to the Sunday Telegraph’s Melissa Kite were an overstatement of the Tory position. Key Cameroons are still offering reassurance that the party aspires to cut taxes in its first term even if it cannot pledge to do so.

The tax issue has not gone away, though.

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