But What Would The Tories Do, Mr. Howard?

9.56.53am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 9th Oct 2003

Commenting on Michael Howard's speech to the Conservative Party Conference, Matthew Taylor MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, said: "People want to know how much money politicians intend to take and what they will spend it on. Anyone watching Michael Howard will have no clue what the Conservatives intend to do."

"The Tories are split top to bottom on how much to tax and how to spend it." (see notes editors)

"Liberal Democrats see no need for any increase in spending or taxation beyond the Government's plans."

"But the British people should be taxed more fairly. We should axe the unfair council tax and replace it with a fair local tax based on how much people earn."

ENDS

Notes To Editors

Tories on Tax and Spending.

There have been reports of a split in the Shadow Cabinet between those like Letwin, Green and Howard who don't want a reckless commitment to cut taxes and those like Davis and IDS who do.

Andrew Lansley, ex-Shadow Cabinet member said 'I actually think it is unwise for us to begin the process of talking about lower taxes until the point we have actually demonstrated to the public how we are going to ensure the delivery of services. How are we going to deliver more doctors and more nurses? They want to have the services at a value-for-money price. They are willing to pay the price they pay now if they get the services delivered.' (Times, 07/10/03)

Andrew Lansley: 'We have to be very careful about where we go to in terms of making promises about cutting taxes until we know precisely where the money will come from in order to fund those reductions in taxation.' (Independent,

08/10/03)

"Our health, education and pensions policies have to have a chance to be judged on their own merits by the public, and not simply (be) a vehicle to allow us to cut taxes," senior Shadow Cabinet member (Times, 07/10/03)

Ken Clarke "Tax cuts come after that. Tax cuts come when you've got public spending and borrowing under control." (Times, 07/10/03)

David Davis in his came out unequivocally in favour of tax cuts: 'Conservatives are not afraid to say that the way we've organised public services for 60 years is fundamentally flawed. We're not afraid to say that if we want to give people genuine choice and opportunity, we have to tax them less and set them free.' (Independent, 08/10/03).