Well, Vince, Nick and their mate Dave got their VAT rise through the House of Commons on Tuesday night with only a handful of Lib Dem MPs voting against the measure. One who did voice opposition was Andrew George, who tabled an amendment to peg back the increase to 18% and said in the Commons:
“Of all the measures to restore the public finances it seems to me that a VAT rise has to be among the least welcome of all of the alternatives”
This went down like a lead balloon with his colleagues – dont expect an Xmas card from Nick Clegg this year Andrew. A further amendment from Labour that would have exempted groups such as charities, local authorities and other groups was also voted down by the Conservative government.
This isnt, as some Tories claimed yesterday, a courgeous move, its one that is going to hurt millions across the country, as well as those on low and middle incomes throughout Clapham Town. Every part of the government needs to save money to combat the aftermath of the global recession, but we need to protect those services and sections of society – charities and pensioners in this case – that can least afford more taxes and less support.
