Conservative plans to give tax cuts to just married couples have been the subject of further criticism this week by members of the local Liberal Democrat Party.

Senior Lib Dem Gail Coleshill, who is standing as the party’s Parliamentary Candidate in North East Somerset, believes giving out tax breaks based on marital status is unfair. She said:

“When I first heard that the Conservatives, who have been very slow in coming forward with new policies, wanted to give a tax cut just to people who were married I couldn’t believe my ears.

As a Lib Dem I believe we need to make taxation fairer by giving tax cuts to people based on earnings – not on whether they are married or not.

If the Liberal Democrats win the next General Election we will raise the income tax threshold to £10,000 – so if your household income is below this amount you wouldn’t pay any tax at all.”  

The Liberal Democrats estimate that their tax plans would put an extra £700 back in the pocket of the average family. Any shortfall in the national pot would be paid for by introducing a ‘Mansion Tax’ where people who live in properties worth over £2million would pay a 1% annual levy. The £1.7billion generated from this would be redistributed to help the poorest in society.

Peasedown Councillor Sarah Bevan, who her-self is a single mother, believes the Tory plans may contravene Human Rights legislation. She commented:

“This is discrimination by stealth and as such may well contradict Human Rights legislation. Any form of discrimination cannot be condoned by any civilised society, let alone a civilised government. I am greatly purturbed by this attempt to favour one life style choice over others.”

Cllr Bevan’s colleague Cllr Nathan Hartley is worried about the effect this unfair policy could have on people living in Peasedown, Radstock, Midsomer Norton and the rest of North East Somerset. He said:

“Surely a tax cut should be given first to the single mother, or father, living in a social housing estate with four kids? What about the individual who is the subject of domestic violence and is daily abused by their spouse? Under a Tory government this person would be better off in a violent marriage than he or she would be if they left.

The plans also indicate how little the Tory Party has come in accepting change in the 21^st century. Couples who live together, and love each other, but chose not to marry and gay couples wouldn’t even get a look in.”

The Liberal Democrats say if people want a taxation system that really does help the poor and the needy and supports hardworking families then their party is the best choose at the next General Election.