Labour leader Keir Starmer has emphatically dismissed claims that his party plans to impose capital gains tax on the sale of primary residences, labeling the allegations as “desperate” tactics by the Conservative Party.
Speaking during a visit to a hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, Starmer assured the public that such a tax policy was never on the table.
“This was just a desperate story by the Tories in relation to capital gains tax on primary residences. There was never a policy, so it doesn’t need ruling out, but let’s rule it out in case anybody pretends that it was.”
Keir Starmer
The Labour Party has consistently ruled out increasing the rates of income tax, VAT, and national insurance.
However, when questioned about its broader tax policy, the party has maintained that there are “no plans” for tax rises beyond those specified in their manifesto.
The Conservative Party has accused Labour of harboring secret plans for significant tax increases, including making the sale of a primary residence subject to capital gains tax.
These claims have stirred considerable debate and prompted a sharp response from Starmer.
Conservatives Criticized for Election Falsehoods
Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, recently criticized the Conservatives, accusing them of spreading falsehoods during election campaigns.
“It’s strange they seem to think they’ve got a license to lie during election campaigns. Political adverts aren’t regulated by the Advertising Standards Agency, so you can say things there that would not get you prosecuted.”
Fraser Nelson
Nelson’s comments were prompted by a disputed claim from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s team that Labour’s plans would result in “£2,000 in higher taxes for every working family in our country.”
“Now, I don’t know if they expect tribalism from journalists on the right, but journalists are going to point out untruths when they’re seen.
“Suffice to say, it didn’t go down very well, but we had the same stuff from David Cameron’s side during the election campaign. The Spectator is a journalistic outfit which exists to tell readers what’s true and what’s not.”
Fraser Nelson
Adding to the discourse, former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell commended Nelson for calling out the alleged Tory falsehoods but reminded him of past transgressions.
“I must point out, Fraser, and fair play to you for calling out the Tory lies, but you did once have a permanent compulsive liar in Boris Johnson, as your editor.”
Alastair Campbell
Meanwhile, the Conservatives are grappling with internal challenges, particularly from Nigel Farage and the Reform Party.
The veterans minister, Johnny Mercer cautioned voters, “If you vote Reform, you’re going to get a Labour government.”
David Cameron, now serving as foreign secretary, also voiced concerns about Farage’s impact on the Conservative Party.
Cameron accused Farage of attempting to “destroy” the party with his divisive rhetoric and political tactics.
“He [Farage] is currently trying to destroy the Conservative Party by standing for Reform,” Cameron asserted.
“I want to be as sure as we can that we get no Reform members of parliament and the Conservative Party can move forward.”
He further criticized Farage’s “inflammatory language” and “dog whistle” politics, emphasizing that such approaches have no place in the Conservative Party.
“My point is that what I want is robust policy and measured language. I think with these populists what you get is inflammatory language and hopeless policy.”
David Cameron
Responding to Farage’s claim that Prime Minister Sunak “doesn’t understand our culture,” Cameron dismissed the criticism with a pointed remark. “You don’t have to watch sheepdog trials to hear a dog whistle,” he quipped, underscoring his disapproval of Farage’s tactics.
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