Osborne calls for discipline on tax

12 April 2012

Shadow chancellor George Osborne has called for discipline from Conservative activists on tax as he set out plans for policies to support the family.

This week's Tory conference in Bournemouth has witnessed loud grassroots grumbling over the refusal by Mr Osborne and leader David Cameron to promise upfront tax cuts.

Mr Osborne on Tuesday used his keynote speech to assure the party: "I want lower taxes."

But he warned that Conservative hopes of victory at the General Election expected in 2009 could be dashed if voters fear they will put tax cuts ahead of economic stability or the public services.

"To those who still want us to make upfront promises of tax cuts now, we say: We will not back down," he told the conference.

"We will not be pushed or pulled. We will stick to our principles. We will do what is right.

"I am not going to write my 2009 Budget in 2006. For the British people are sick of politicians who promise more than they deliver. We will deliver more than we promise."

Mr Osborne had a few morsels to throw to the delegates on tax, including a pledge to end Gordon Brown's practice of "taxation by stealth" and an aspiration to create a "simpler, flatter and fairer" tax system.

And he signalled new assistance for parents, including help on childcare and extended flexible working.

Aides also indicated that he was seriously considering proposals to allow stay-at-home parents to transfer their £5,000 tax allowance to their working partners - worth up to around £2,000 a year to married couples and those in same-sex civil partnerships.

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