Clegg calls for 2p tax cut to "stimulate ailing economy"

9.07.00am GMT Fri 31st Oct 2008

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has called on all parties in the Scottish Parliament to work together to cut income tax by 2p to help stimulate an ailing economy. Mr. Clegg was speaking while visiting the Glenrothes constituency in support of the Liberal Democrat by-election campaign.

Mr. Clegg, on his second visit to the constituency, was joined by local challenger Harry Wills and Dunfermline and West Fife MP Willie Rennie in a visit to Thomson House, an outreach centre which gives guidance to local people on getting back into work and becoming self-employed.

Mr. Clegg said:

"The only serious proposal to boost the economy is the 2p tax cut put forward by Tavish Scott. As we slide into recession, people need to know that Government is on their side. We have bailed out the banks, surely it is right that we help those families who are struggling to pay the bills this winter.

"The Scottish Parliament should follow Tavish's lead, as Alex Salmond has with HBoS, and use the powers at their disposal to cut taxes now.

"We also need to see the major cut in interest rates Vince Cable has been calling for. It was the Liberal Democrats that led the debate on Northern Rock, and it is the Liberal Democrats that are leading the debate on the future of our economy on both sides of the border.

"In every decision, the Governments in both Westminster and Holyrood are one step behind. It is time they caught up and followed our lead." You can read how the BBC reported the story here.  

Commenting more widely on the by-election, Nick Clegg said:

"People are neither satisfied with Labour nor impressed with the SNP. The credible alternative here is Harry Wills as part of a very strong Fife Liberal Democrat team. The Liberal Democrats are tackling the current economic climate head-on, unlike London Labour who have run out of steam, run out of ideas and run out of time."

Harry Wills, Liberal Democrat by-election candidate, added:

"Throughout this campaign I have been calling for all parties to get behind our 2p tax cut so we can put over £300 back in the pockets of hard working Fifers. So far they have refused to help. They are putting politics first, not people first. With Nick, I am today renewing that call. Voters will make a judgement on their intransigence on this issue in one week from now; it is up to them how they justify not helping Fife families through these tough times." Click below to watch an interview with Harry