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Original poster

Would you pay more tax to boost defence spending

494 replies

trainermush · 20/02/2025 17:42

Obviously we are now in a more precarious position & defence spending has been underfunded for some time. RR had just said we need to spend more money & she will but without breaking her fiscal rules,

"So we will stick to our fiscal rules. But recognising the priority of defence spending in the world that we live in today means that we will have to make difficult choices so that we can spend that money that is needed to keep our country safe."

Mulling it over & even though I think I pay enough tax I would pay more each month towards this (cut back in other areas) as opposed to labour cutting back on something else. I guess thinking about my dc & other loved ones has changed my mind somewhat now things appear more bleak. What do others think?
Conscription of young people terrifies me even though my dc are too young.

OP posts:
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bombastix · 20/02/2025 20:13

As if we have a choice about Russia being our enemy. They poison people in broad daylight in this country.

Hell, if you annoy Putin and you are Russian the chances of living greatly reduce.

Let's not be naive about them. Putin and his people are vicious.

MumblesParty · 20/02/2025 20:12

Can someone explain to me who is going to invade us? I’ve not followed the news much lately, and I can’t bear to read anything that involves Trump or Putin.

Original poster
trainermush · 20/02/2025 20:12

I don’t think Labour are greedy and unprincipled, or in the pockets of the corporations etc.

So why don’t they just tax them, like everyone talks about on here? What’s stopping them?

Because governments want businesses to invest in their country, create jobs, blah, blah, blah. Plus we have competition literally on our doorstep, look at how much Ireland has changed its economy with their low corporation tax.

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Thoughtsonstuff · 20/02/2025 20:12

PrimitivePerson · 20/02/2025 20:09

Absolutely not. Funny how there's always enough to spend on weapons but not public services.

I'd prefer the UK not to be invaded than more money thrown into public services. In any event the ones we do have are so rubbish anyway round here so perhaps we won't even notice the cuts.

PointySnoot · 20/02/2025 20:11

Wildflowers99 · 20/02/2025 20:07

See, I don’t understand this.

I don’t think Labour are greedy and unprincipled, or in the pockets of the corporations etc.

So why don’t they just tax them, like everyone talks about on here? What’s stopping them?

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This.

Farellyo · 20/02/2025 20:11

included the bloated civil service

Me when I believe what I read in the daily mail.

Lettuceandbroccolisoup · 20/02/2025 20:10

@TemporaryPosition Do we need to have such an adversarial relationship with Russia? Really?

I agree.
People forget they supported us in WW2 while Italy aligned with Germany.

You can blame Merkel for that poor relationship with Russia - she wanted to create an EU Army to go and poke the Russian Bear.

Thoughtsonstuff · 20/02/2025 20:10

Thoughtsonstuff · 20/02/2025 20:07

He's relinquishing his share in Reform to democratise it as it was a company rather than a political party and was owned by Nigel Farage. I don't know if he's a leader. He seems to be doing pretty well in the polls. Can he be worse than Keir Starmer? Many people don't think so.

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Having said that it's very interesting how Ben Wallace is being cited as a guru at the moment. So you may be right about a military leader. Shame he left Parliament and shame they didn't make him head of Nato.

BIossomtoes · 20/02/2025 20:10

Thoughtsonstuff · 20/02/2025 20:07

He's relinquishing his share in Reform to democratise it as it was a company rather than a political party and was owned by Nigel Farage. I don't know if he's a leader. He seems to be doing pretty well in the polls. Can he be worse than Keir Starmer? Many people don't think so.

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Worse than anyone could possibly imagine. Even worse than Johnson was.

KeyWorker · 20/02/2025 20:09

Esmeraldaemerald · 20/02/2025 17:45

Yes of course - I would hope it was a no brainer to be honest - the world is a dangerous place now … my DC are doing their GCSEs I mentioned at dinner last night it might be an idea to think about conscription proof professions

Don’t scare your children with such suggestions.

EasternStandard · 20/02/2025 20:09

Really. After 7 months. Who’s gonna win then ? Nige ? Kemi ? 😂

Tbf the laughing emoji doesn't match voting intention. Only 7 months in.

PrimitivePerson · 20/02/2025 20:09

Absolutely not. Funny how there's always enough to spend on weapons but not public services.

OrangePeel2 · 20/02/2025 20:08

Yes, if respected voices in the military said this was essential, then I would without grudge. I'd also dig for Britain. We need to be food and energy secure too.

anonhop · 20/02/2025 20:07

Yes yes yes. Except more tax won't actually go on defence if you're about to say we should have tax rises!!

Wildflowers99 · 20/02/2025 20:07

trainermush · 20/02/2025 19:59

I'm still not clear on why ordinary tax payers should have to bear this burden, when there are a number of multi-nationals who could and should be contributing.

Capitalism

See, I don’t understand this.

I don’t think Labour are greedy and unprincipled, or in the pockets of the corporations etc.

So why don’t they just tax them, like everyone talks about on here? What’s stopping them?

Thoughtsonstuff · 20/02/2025 20:07

Talonz · 20/02/2025 20:02

Farage will shortly go to the rear or Reform. Even today he is relinquishing a share in the company.

Farage is not a leader and that is becoming increasingly clear. He is a catalyst nothing more and his role will diminish. Paradoxically, the leader on the right who may defeat Starmer may well come from the military.

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He's relinquishing his share in Reform to democratise it as it was a company rather than a political party and was owned by Nigel Farage. I don't know if he's a leader. He seems to be doing pretty well in the polls. Can he be worse than Keir Starmer? Many people don't think so.

Original poster
trainermush · 20/02/2025 20:06

He’ll be history. His love affair with Trump puts him at odds with the vast majority of the population.

Even the DM readers are outraged at Trump

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Talonz · 20/02/2025 20:06

Alexandra2001 · 20/02/2025 18:49

Reduce the tax saving on cash ISA's, only have 0% tax rate on ISAs that have say 20% invested in UK.

We've £723billion invested in ISAs, little if any gain for the country vs the cost in tax.

You can expect something on that on 26 March, possibly also higher rate relief on pensions.

In the Autumn we will hear about War Bonds.

BIossomtoes · 20/02/2025 20:05

Talonz · 20/02/2025 20:02

Farage will shortly go to the rear or Reform. Even today he is relinquishing a share in the company.

Farage is not a leader and that is becoming increasingly clear. He is a catalyst nothing more and his role will diminish. Paradoxically, the leader on the right who may defeat Starmer may well come from the military.

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I think you may well be right. Equally it wouldn’t surprise me if the next Labour leader had that background either.

Original poster
trainermush · 20/02/2025 20:05

@Talonz thanks, just heard the 80bn figure on the radio

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Thoughtsonstuff · 20/02/2025 20:05

TemporaryPosition · 20/02/2025 20:02

Do we need to have such an adversarial relationship with Russia? Really?

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Well, it's not like we would have a choice. Russia has always considered the UK (hilariously) a wily enemy and apparently Putin is the same. And we've learned the lesson of appeasing an aggressive dictator on the edge of Europe haven't we? Surely?

Original poster
trainermush · 20/02/2025 20:04

I took your suggestions - you offered up not shopping at Starbucks; not everyone does. You implied that reforming the corporation tax system would be difficult because it would require co-operation with other countries - I gave you FATCA as an example of a global tax change.

Is it really controversial to suggest it would be easier to persuade Starbucks to do the moral thing by losing market share as opposed to setting up our own FATCA? Do you think there might be a reason so few countries do this?

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Cattreesea · 20/02/2025 20:03

No.

I have very little money left each month as it is and could not afford to pay even more taxes.

If it wants to find funding for defence the Government should first take a good look at how much public money is wasted, included the bloated civil service, and tax the wealthiest more rather than always see regular tax payers as an endless cash cow.

Not to mention that as long as we have people in this country who can't heat their home, feed themselves or find secure accommodation we need to stop spending so much on foreign aid.

Talonz · 20/02/2025 20:02

BIossomtoes · 20/02/2025 19:57

He’ll be history. His love affair with Trump puts him at odds with the vast majority of the population.

Show quote history

Farage will shortly go to the rear or Reform. Even today he is relinquishing a share in the company.

Farage is not a leader and that is becoming increasingly clear. He is a catalyst nothing more and his role will diminish. Paradoxically, the leader on the right who may defeat Starmer may well come from the military.

TemporaryPosition · 20/02/2025 20:02

Thoughtsonstuff · 20/02/2025 19:38

Only the right sort of people though. Have a look at what the Russian soldiers have been up to. And then have a think whether you want money spent stopping them doing the same here.

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Do we need to have such an adversarial relationship with Russia? Really?

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