No, Liz Truss, tax cuts that benefit the most well-off aren’t ‘fair’

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In my experience, large tax cuts enrich the well-off, who have little interest in improving the quality of life for those less fortunate than themselves (AFP via Getty Images)

“To look at everything through the lens of redistribution is… wrong,” says Liz Truss. Gifting the wealthy a £1,800 tax benefit that allows the poor £7.00 is “fair”. Such an approach will boost investment and grow the economy, presumably, through some Thatcherite trickle down process, so the mantra goes.

In my experience, large tax cuts enrich the well-off, who have little interest in improving the quality of life for those less fortunate than themselves. Instead of appropriately paid service jobs provided by the government out of taxation, the nation’s needs are met by poverty-stricken serfs “enslaved” by the “gig economy”.

A significant portion of the vast surpluses generated by such taxation policies swells the coffers of off-shore trusts and increases housing costs of first-time buyers as money is directed towards property. Little is invested in national infrastructure, social policy and well-paid jobs in industry – the so-called “levelling up” agenda. The historical consequences of such reckless taxation policies are invariably industrial unrest, civil strife and increased poverty. Sound familiar?

The Tories have got, at most, two more years to “make hay” off the back of Brexit, Covid and the energy crises before they’re booted out. Plenty of time to prepare for the lean years of sensible economic policies that benefit everyone to come.

The market may be “fair”, but only competent governments can deliver equity. Isn’t that the least we should expect from our electoral system?

David Smith

Taunton

Will the new PM help the people of Pakistan?

We are petrified by the horrifying scenes of multistory hotels crumbling into small pieces, destroyed roads and bridges submerged beneath surging waters. The repercussions of the apocalyptic floods sweeping Pakistan affect fragile communities, particularly children and women, putting their safety, security and access to shelter, food, medicine and hygiene at risk.

If Liz Truss is elected prime minister, I hope she will address climate change, assist developing nations and lay the groundwork for action.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London

Hello, Liz

Twelve years of Conservative governance has led us here – and I use the term “governance” generously.

After 12 years of steady decline, in public services, in foreign relations and in parliamentary standards, here we are, digging through the bottom of a barrel which long ago failed to serve its purpose, in the hope of unearthing somebody, anybody who can turn it around.

Surely there’s no one who could erode public trust in our political system further than Boris Johnson has. But who is that, confusedly staring up through the hole, babbling incoherently about “cheese” and “new pork markets”?

Cameron Thomas

Gloucester

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Our beautiful British motorways

There is apparently a tension between the relative cheapness of land-based wind turbines and the spoliation of natural beauty. Might I suggest that stretches of British motorways are not normally appreciated for their spectacular views.

An additional option for roadside wind power is to find a way of incorporating some of the traffic wind flow, which might generate electricity when the wind fails to blow.

Cole Davis

Norwich