Taskforces
An early act of David Cameron as Leader was to set up Taskforces to look at different policy areas. We have had reports, for example, on local government under the leadership of Michael Heseltine. Some of its proposals are being looked at such as the ability of local authorities and, by extension, National Assemblies to raise money through bonds, the possibility of elected Mayors and so on. There was also an excellent report from the Health Taskforce. More recently we have had a very thorough analysis of social justice issues from the Social Justice Taskforce under the leadership of Iain Duncan Smith.
In Wales we will be looking at how these recommendations and policies are relevant in a Welsh context. The Welsh Taskforce was set up by Cheryl Gillan and we will be considering the impact of all of the recommendations that have so far been made.
There has been, predictably, much discussion and controversy about the recommendations of the Taskforce that has been looking at regulation and the economy.
I have to say I am amazed at the reaction of some people on the left of British politics. To listen to Alistair Darling and others you would think that one of the chief functions of government was to tax people. Admittedly under Labour it often feels like that! It is not, of course. Taxation is necessary to provide for vital public services and to ensure that they are of an excellent standard. Once that has been done there is no justification for taxation beyond that. It isn’t an end in itself.
George Osborne has said, quite rightly and sensibly, and so has David, that there will be no promise of upfront tax cuts at the next election. At the same time we have, of course, said that in order to tackle the massive challenge of our age, climate change, there should be a rebalancing of taxation to tax pollution. This again seems sensible and is helping to meet one of the great challenges of our age.
As an objective to eliminate inheritance tax on the principal private residence is a good idea – when affordable.
In any event all of these reports will be analysed, some of their recommendations will be accepted and some will not. It is healthy that in opposition parties analyse their policies, put them under the microscope, see how circumstances have changed and how fresh challenges should be met with fresh polices. That is what is going on and that is what will continue over the months ahead.
The Welsh Taskforce has quite a job of work to do!
