South Lakes MP Tim Farron calls for tax cuts at Lib Dem party conference (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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South Lakes MP Tim Farron calls for tax cuts at Lib Dem party conference
4:31pm Monday 24th September 2012 in News
By Rachel Ryan
SOUTH Lakes MP and Lib Dem party President Tim Farron has called for tax cuts for workers on the minimum wage.
In his speech at the Autumn Conference in Brighton, Mr Farron said that the lowest paid workers deserve more and slammed taxation for making families ‘struggle more’.
He told fellow Liberal Democrats on Sunday that it should be ‘Britain’s tax-cutting party’.
He said: “I want a society where no one should be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. I believe in transferring power and wealth from the powerful and welthy to the powerless and the poor.”
“Every week when I go out knocking on doors I can guarentee taht before the evening is out I will meet a teacher, a nurse, a young copper, who will tell me they have no hope of finding a decent affordable home All they want is somewhere they can afford somewhere they can call home in the community that they serve.
“This is our chance to help them and build ourselves out of recession at the same time.”
“Taxation is the subscription charge for kliving in a civilised society. It is unacceptable when tax makes struggling families struggle more.”
At the last election, the Lib Dems pledged to raise the income tax threshold to £10,000 a year and the coalition agreed to implement it by 2015.
Mr Farron also said that regional pay was unfair and he slammed the Tories for not being serious about climate change and added: “Let’s seek to govern, and govern, as Liberals.”
Comments(25)
Ben Berry
says...
9:35am Tue 25 Sep 12
In the speech Mr Farron also said Lib Dems won a
"5.2% increase in welfare benefits."
"green economy" forcing energy bills up and wind farms in our communities,
increases in "overseas aid."
"commit now to build 250,000 council houses" When his SLDC got rid of all Council Houses...
"government business bank" where the government can pick winners and losers in the economy.
Evidently the Liberal Democrats don't deserve to be called Liberal: "a political ideology that advocates free markets, limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and individual liberties"
fellsman
says...
1:59pm Tue 25 Sep 12
onelocal
says...
6:39pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Ben Berry wrote:The mind boggling 5.2% increase in the benefits and pension bill, from April 2012, was linked to the September 2011 inflation rate (RPI). This increase was more than double the wage increases for those working and in the case of public sector workers, whose pay was frozen. Indeed the LD did push through this increase, adding £1.8 bn to the welfare bill, encouraging the work shy and rewarding the benefits cheats. Not something to be proud of.
What a wonderful press release.
In the speech Mr Farron also said Lib Dems won a
"5.2% increase in welfare benefits."
"green economy" forcing energy bills up and wind farms in our communities,
increases in "overseas aid."
"commit now to build 250,000 council houses" When his SLDC got rid of all Council Houses...
"government business bank" where the government can pick winners and losers in the economy.
Evidently the Liberal Democrats don't deserve to be called Liberal: "a political ideology that advocates free markets, limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and individual liberties"
Because of the huge increase in 2012, next years increase will likely be cut and may no longer be linked to the RPI. The increase also succeeded in increasing the deficit even more.
At the same time, Osborne postponed the fuel increase until after September, so that it doesn't impact the 2013 benefits and pension increases, a cynical ploy, but don't hold your breath, it will be implemented once September RPI is out of the way.
Who can you trust these days!
Geoff103
says...
1:07pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Since then, I've seen and heard nothing to persuade me that the voters here haven't gone a bit soft in the head.
The man is a complete and total dunderhead of supremely limited ability.
I gather he was a former leading SLDC councillor which explains his lack of abilities yet does nothing to explain how or why he was first elected and then returned by a massively increased majority in 2010.
TomHarvey
says...
4:18pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Ben Berry
says...
4:36pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Geoff103 wrote:Will you please get in touch with me... You speak far too much sense...
I moved here after the 2005 GE and was mildly intrigued as to how and why Mr Farron won.
Since then, I've seen and heard nothing to persuade me that the voters here haven't gone a bit soft in the head.
The man is a complete and total dunderhead of supremely limited ability.
I gather he was a former leading SLDC councillor which explains his lack of abilities yet does nothing to explain how or why he was first elected and then returned by a massively increased majority in 2010.
Ladyxxmacbeth
says...
5:55pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Geoff103
says...
6:48pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Ladyxxmacbeth wrote:"Keeps every one informed"
Well I really like him ! At least you actually see him and he keeps everyone informed. Not lilke the other politicians that you never see until election time. I mean give him a break he's a Lib Dem !
About what?
Basically, he seems to have an armlock on the Gazette to print his picture twice a week over every 'campaign' he puts his name to.
Many of these are easy, populist local campaigns for apple pie and motherhood. Mostly, they involve a local knee-jerk. A couple of winters ago it was about clearing snow and ice from roads and pavements.
Well, as a former SLDC councillor he should know all about who's responsible for that and how to do it. Indeed, he should have left SLDC fully up to speed or did he leave the council painfully not up to the job?
On the national front, as someone else has pointed out, his party is in coalition yet he spends all of his energies appearing to be part of the opposition. Attempting to undermine rather than support and promote the coalition his party is part of.
It would be another matter if his particular concerns were argued inside the corridors of Whitehall and Westminster to change, improve and modify coalition policies. But no, there'd be no personal payback in the form of headlines and interviews for an activist LibDem MP by simply being a loyal and supportive member of the coalition.
And now, we have simplistic demands for tax cuts for some and tax increases for others. Any fool can demand these. Especially when the tax increases are to be levied on others, that elusive and unquantifiable sector, 'The Rich'. My God, why haven't we thought of that before. Nobody could oppose taxing 'The Rich' - except the 'Rich'.
Everybody knows 'The Rich' are always other people. And there ain't enough of them to matter at the Ballot Box.
Again, it's another comfortable and easy position.
Pah, the man's not even interesting enough to be a fool.
wezzyk
says...
8:35pm Wed 26 Sep 12
7 years locally perhaps youve seen nothing,17 years plus of "others muppets, puppets and dunderheads" would prove our current option a breath of fresh air, openness and visibility.
move back if you don't like it perhaps your local was better?
Lakeuk
says...
9:24pm Wed 26 Sep 12
The Cons in Westmorland then differed for a few years with their infighting, then for a some strange reason chose an outsider from the city, not a great choice when you think the banks were going belly up at the time.
Will the local Cons do any better next time round, well since locals don't gel very well with off comers coming in at the eleventh then they've currently on the same path as the last time round - I bet they've hoping for the plan C where Clegg get ousted and Tim deserts Westmorland to become the Libs leader - maybe they got the idea from Tim Colins exit.
Ambience
says...
10:54am Thu 27 Sep 12
Geoff103
says...
11:11am Thu 27 Sep 12
Well, there's a typical LibDem welcome for you!
As it happens, I did 'move back'. Back to where I can recall when Michael Jopling as a new MP. That was probably before many of the Farron disciples and sycophants were even born.
Ladyxxmacbeth
says...
1:52pm Thu 27 Sep 12
redhairedgranny
says...
2:36pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Really Ladyxxmacbeth??
What good have the Lib Dems and Farron done for the South Lakes? Extortionate non transferable parking meters and charges. Shops and other businesses closing all the time due to enormous rates and business tax, total congestion on the "Improved" highways. Yes I know they are County Couincil "Improvements but they have to have had the green light from SLDC.
Farron takes the credit for the new Chemo suite as WGH. This was decided years ago when all the changes were mooted for the hospital. We would lose some services and gain others, One of those being the chemo suite. Farron only jumps on the bandwagon if it something that is a good press opportunity. He does nothing to help people with real problems. Any fool can get an "electric bill sorted" as that is the most common words of praise Ive heard on his behalf but life changing matters he gives not one jot for as shown on Facebook this past week. The man is a self grandising, self publicising bufoon and why the electorate of South Lakeland cant see through him and his cronies I have no idea. Oh and on the subject of the last Conservative candidate, he was from an Irish farming background as well as being a banker so knew better than Farron (who remember is also an "offcomer") about farming matters. Lets hope the next election sees the Lib Dems out on their ear at last.
Ambience
says...
2:47pm Thu 27 Sep 12
redhairedgranny wrote:But don't the Conservatives see us all as 'plebs' unless we have power or money, or both? The Conservatives have lost touch with working class people, but working class people have votes, and there are more of them.
He's typically Lib Dem, and that's a good thing in a small area like South Lakes.”
Really Ladyxxmacbeth??
What good have the Lib Dems and Farron done for the South Lakes? Extortionate non transferable parking meters and charges. Shops and other businesses closing all the time due to enormous rates and business tax, total congestion on the "Improved" highways. Yes I know they are County Couincil "Improvements but they have to have had the green light from SLDC.
Farron takes the credit for the new Chemo suite as WGH. This was decided years ago when all the changes were mooted for the hospital. We would lose some services and gain others, One of those being the chemo suite. Farron only jumps on the bandwagon if it something that is a good press opportunity. He does nothing to help people with real problems. Any fool can get an "electric bill sorted" as that is the most common words of praise Ive heard on his behalf but life changing matters he gives not one jot for as shown on Facebook this past week. The man is a self grandising, self publicising bufoon and why the electorate of South Lakeland cant see through him and his cronies I have no idea. Oh and on the subject of the last Conservative candidate, he was from an Irish farming background as well as being a banker so knew better than Farron (who remember is also an "offcomer") about farming matters. Lets hope the next election sees the Lib Dems out on their ear at last.
redhairedgranny
says...
3:44pm Thu 27 Sep 12
onelocal
says...
6:29pm Thu 27 Sep 12
In Westmorland and Lonsdale, Labour don't exist, the Tories haven't got a chance until they come up with a popular local candidate, who can duplicate what the present MP has done, and with the MP's party machine supporting them we will have to suffer a SLDC LibDem majority for a long time to come.
Ladyxxmacbeth
says...
7:17pm Thu 27 Sep 12
...my personal preference would be to have a labour government, however of the two main parties in this region there is only one winner. I even think that if there was hope for labour I still wouldn't vote for them because Tim is just adorable, maybe even a bit of pity in there too, but it works
wezzyk
says...
10:23pm Thu 27 Sep 12
11:11am Thu 27 Sep 12
"move back if you don't like it perhaps your local was better?"
Well, there's a typical LibDem welcome for you!
As it happens, I did 'move back'. Back to where I can recall when Michael Jopling as a new MP. That was probably before many of the Farron disciples and sycophants were even born.
Yeah... Cool Man... Moved here... Gone back there... make your mind up where are you here or there? Perhaps that's why your talking nonsense in this posting you can't remember which "terrible" Councillor your on about
wezzyk
says...
10:40pm Thu 27 Sep 12
and made a famous quote about Michael Heseltine. Stating he is the sort of person who has "bought his own furniture"
Nice man he is.
Politics banter
emmielou
says...
11:56am Fri 28 Sep 12
Geoff103
says...
12:07pm Fri 28 Sep 12
emmielou wrote:I never met the man but there was the classic instance during a big winter freeze before the 2010 election.
I'd just like to add that the Gareth who stood for conservatives against Mr farron DID do stuff locally and help local charities his only downfall was that he didn't get in touch with the media every time he was visiting a local school, shop, opening of a letter or jumping on the passing band wagon, unlike other persons. I had very high regard for Gareth and his support for local people despite him not being local but as I recall neither is our local mp at present.
Farron created/signed a petition on clearing pavement snow and ice.
McKeever actually got a shovel and broom out and helped neighbours and other volunteers in 'doing' clearing in the neighbourhood.
That, at least, made the Gazette and was a perfect summation of the difference between the two: McKeever, a 'doer' and Farron a 'petition signer'.
Ladyxxmacbeth
says...
4:12pm Fri 28 Sep 12
emmielou wrote:then he's an idiot ! You don't win elections by doing nothing !
I'd just like to add that the Gareth who stood for conservatives against Mr farron DID do stuff locally and help local charities his only downfall was that he didn't get in touch with the media every time he was visiting a local school, shop, opening of a letter or jumping on the passing band wagon, unlike other persons. I had very high regard for Gareth and his support for local people despite him not being local but as I recall neither is our local mp at present.
Ladyxxmacbeth
says...
4:12pm Fri 28 Sep 12
emmielou wrote:then he's an idiot ! You don't win elections by doing nothing !
I'd just like to add that the Gareth who stood for conservatives against Mr farron DID do stuff locally and help local charities his only downfall was that he didn't get in touch with the media every time he was visiting a local school, shop, opening of a letter or jumping on the passing band wagon, unlike other persons. I had very high regard for Gareth and his support for local people despite him not being local but as I recall neither is our local mp at present.
Kendal Jock says...
7:25pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Through you and your very few MPs
you are trying to thwart your coalition
partners at almost every turn. You are in
a coalition! you should be pulling together, not frustrating your partners in
in disagreeing with their policies.
Try getting the country back to what it was before 1979, instead of looking to your own futures.