Jonathan EmmesediAs I read about this Lib Dem proposal and Labour's refusal to deny possible increases in capital gains tax, I find myself hoping that the UK is getting ready to move in a progressive direction on taxation.
Although tax-and-spend should never be considered the whole of social democratic politics, it nonetheless remains matters. Just discussing is important, as it helps weaken the Thatcherite taboo on the redistribution of wealth.
Starmer and Reeves are not prepared to go as far as I would like in a redistributive direction, but their ministry will offer both an improvement on that of the Tories and an opportunity to restart a long term push for better taxation policies and an updated and more generous welfare state.
It won't be easy, because of opposition from within Labour by the likes of Mandelson, but progress is possible.
The Guardian view on the Lib Dems: the welcome return of tax-and-spend politics | Editorial | The Guardian