Derek McDowell (Labour)

Since the Progressive Democrats never tire of trawling through the history books, we must stitch the truth into the record every now and then. I have got bad news for them. The next election will not be about tax, because we will not let it be about tax. I am not telling them many secrets here as we are not stupid. Before the last election, the Labour Party committed itself not to increase the rates of income tax. Our leader said so in the meantime, as did my colleague, Deputy Burton. We will say it again before the next general that we will not increase the rates of income tax.