Taxes a breath of fresh heir

David Cameron is determined, if he comes to power, not to damage the British economy. That is why he wisely refused to promise tax cuts at last month’s Tory conference. But the tax reform proposed today by Tory economists is an intelligent package. It will strike a chord with middle England. It will delight businesses. It even has something for environmentalists.

What a fresh, bracing contrast it is to the heavy, hideously complex web of taxes and stealth taxes imposed under Gordon Brown.

The abolition of inheritance tax is long overdue. Designed to separate the aristocracy from their millions, this “vulture” tax now hits millions of ordinary people, forcing cherished homes to be sold and denying children their birthright. It is imposed with callous indifference when people are in mourning. In its present form, it has no place in a civilised society.

Full marks, too, for the plan to raise personal tax allowances, meaning thousands of pensioners and low earners would pay no tax.

But this Tory package is not all about giving. It recognises that as some old taxes go, some new ones will be necessary.

One in particular will have massive public support for it follows the common-sense belief that, if something seems too good to be true it usually is.

Flying has become ludicrously cheap. Instead of extending foreign trips to the less well-off, cheap flights have been snapped up by the middle classes for two or more foreign holidays per year. While the well-heeled pay peanuts, the cost to the environment is horrific.

No-one who believes in global warming or social justice will object to Tory plans to impose levies to make flying more expensive.

In many ways, this is the sort of reform we should expect from a Labour government. It shows how politics have changed from the old red-blue divide. Today, David Cameron is revealing a true-blue agenda with big dashes of green and red.

It is not only eye-catching. It could be vote-catching, too.

Fictional characters we really believe in

A book published today celebrates the 101 most influential people who never lived.

And not before time. From King Arthur to Sherlock Holmes, fictional characters can have a greater influence on us than teachers, celebrities or politicians.

When Fred Elliott died in Coronation Street the tears shed by millions of viewers were real enough. People felt they actually knew him.

The great power of fictional characters is that they are so close, so credible.

We all believe in Robin Hood but does anyone believe David Blunkett’s diaries?