Going Green, Ken and Gordon
Today the party has disclosed ideas for consultation about tackling climate change with a switch from direct taxation to a tax on air travel. This seems eminently sensible given the need to take action on this front and it was predictable that the airlines would react with less than massive enthusiasm. It also seems sensible to recognise that people are still going to fly out of the country on holiday so that those travelling less will be taxed at a lower rate. A worthwhile target is domestic air travel where there are other possible forms of travel available. We as a party in Wales are seeking to address this and I was happy to confirm this week that we are opposed to a North South air link in Wales. Will other parties do the same?
Ken Clarke was on rumbustious good form on Andrew Marr’s breakfast show this morning. He was reminding us that he was green when it was less fashionable with a tax on landfill. He was also disparaging of Gordon Brown’s green credentials.I have just finished reading Simon Jenkin’s book, ‘Thatcher and Sons’ about Major, Blair and Brown adopting her political inheritance. One incident recalled by Jenkins is that amusingly when Brown’s Scottish home was burgled the police said it was the worst case of trashing they had ever seen and the Chancellor said that actually nothing had been disturbed!
