Council Tax (New Valuation Lists for England) Bill

The hon. Gentleman made some interesting and thoughtful remarks about maintaining the position of council tax as a prime tax for local government—there are many reasons why that should be so—without some of the toxic side effects that continue to be associated with it. However, his views contrast significantly with the official position of his Front Benchers, which is to do nothing whatsoever and keep council tax exactly as it is. Interestingly, the Liberal Democrats propose to vote with the Government. I am delighted about that, but they are doing so from an entirely different perspective. In a debate that took place a little while ago, I suggested that the policy set out by the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather) could be compared to Chairman Mao’s great leap forward. In 1918, Lenin said that he supported the then Labour leader, Arthur Henderson, like a rope supports a hanging man. It seems that the Liberal Democrats plan to support the Government tonight because they do not want a revaluation in 2007, or ever. They want something entirely different—a local income tax. We do not want a long discussion about local income tax, because that is not what we are here for. However, it is widely recognised that it would be impossible for 434 billing authorities to attempt to collect a local income tax that is levied at a different rate from the national rate of income tax. Some people would be resident within the geographical area from which the tax is being levied, some would not be resident, and some would be sometimes resident and sometimes not.