Nadhim Zahawi says he will publish his tax returns if he becomes PM – why not now?

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

It is imperative that all those holding government positions have all their earnings, holdings and their tax payments open for public perusal (Reuters)

It may be somewhat heartening to read that Nadhim Zahawi has stated he will gladly open to scrutiny his tax affairs – although not necessarily all his financial affairs – were he to become prime minister.

However, it does seem perverse that while being chancellor of the exchequer, he doesn’t appear to feel a similar obligation.

I would suggest that it is imperative that all those holding government positions (especially cabinet ministers) have all their earnings, holdings and their tax payments open for public perusal.

As holders of high public offices they should not only be humble about the privileges of their positions, but utterly transparent in their fiscal (personal and public) dealings. It’s not a particularly high price to pay.

Alistair Vincent

Chipping Barnet

So Zahawi promises to publish his tax returns when he becomes prime minister. Where have I heard that before? Trump promised the same and then used his position to prevent it from happening.

Alan Pack

Canterbury

Tax cuts aren’t the answer

Most of the pretenders to the leadership of the Conservative Party are falling over themselves with promises of tax cuts to boost their appeal. While this may sound good to the public, it shows how little they understand of the country’s needs.

We have a huge public finance deficit after Covid, we have 12 years of neglect of public services, massively underfunded local government which is having to take over more tasks (for example social care) from central government without commensurate funding, and levelling up promises still to be met. And record inflation is now adding to the problem.

Tax cuts won’t bring the stimulus of growth, not least because Brexit has made the UK an unattractive base being now outside the EU single market. Yes, we do need to acknowledge that. And too much of our industry is now owned overseas, which is where the benefits of any corporation tax cuts will mostly be enjoyed.

What the country does need is a leader who understands that investment in projects and jobs funded adequately by public money will give spending power to our workforce and, with proper training and education, will boost the next generation and improve the UK’s productivity levels.

It will also ensure that our good public sector workers can afford to continue to do the vital jobs they do. Britain is, I am convinced, full of talent but it needs to be nurtured and supported properly. If we do that, we can reach the goal we all seem to want.

All we need now is a leader who also understands that the current crop of Johnson acolytes does not look promising, and have to date shown no understanding of how to execute a longer-term strategy.

Charles Wood

Address supplied

Directionless short-termism

Most Tory leadership candidates are scurrying around trying to enhance their appeal by stating that they will cut taxes, while offering scant advice as to how they will fund essential services and overcome the cost of living crisis in our society.

Perhaps they should be made aware of the fact that many of the electorate have been taxing themselves by making regular charitable donations to support food banks, the homeless, underfunded health and education provision and overseas development.

To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment, sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here

Until politicians engage the electorate in a debate about what we value as a society – and what we are prepared to pay for – we will continue to spiral around in a vortex of directionless short-termism.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

Stop flying

The sky today is blue and cloudless. I am doing my bit to help save the planet. When I look up and see the beautiful sky with its many aeroplane trails I am at a loss for words.

Christine McAllister

Address supplied