Westminstenders: Extension or No Extension

[RedToothBrush]

Johnson has sent a letter he said he never would asking for an extension.

We now wait to see what the EU come back with.

It's likely to be a technical extension. At best.

France are really not happy with the idea of an extension and Macron is flexing his muscles with the EU at the moment. He has been prepared to upset all the other EU countries as he proved with blocking progress on accession to the EU for Northern Macedonia and Albania this week. Macron is fighting his own domestic battles.

It looks as if Johnson now has a majority for a deal. What that deal will ultimately look like will be dictated by the Withdrawal Agreement Bill which sets out implementation of the Withdrawal Act.

However, with the DUP firmly offside the chances of a vote of no confidence go up. As do the chances of an election.

And its also worth pointing out that whilst the WAB is legally binding if we have an election and Johnson gets a majority, then there can always be changes made to domestic law. (implementation of the WA rather than the agreement principles of the WA agreed with the EU).

Thus any 'assurances' over workers rights and regulatory standards are only as good as long as this parliament...

Personally, I sense that this WA will pass. Whatever amendments are or are not added.

It's not a sense based on anything tangible - just from chatter.

I think our best hope now is if the PV amendment passed - and that looks quite dicey, too.

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If the basic rate of tax went back up to what it was under Margaret Thatcher, the NHS and schools would be fully funded.

Are you for real Listening?

I took real heart from the march. It made me determined to press on.

What worries me is that it is now down to (mostly) Conservative MPs who are cowed by the Right & A handful of very disappointing Labour MPs

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basic rate of tax goes up

Let's think about that Listening

It's not the basic rate of tax that should go up but the higher rate of tax.

I'll gladly wave McCartney and E John goodbye.

thanks for marching cat

I'd be ok if a customs union and a level playing field amendment got accepted. I don't want a PV.

Placemats
a 26% basic rate of tax is a massive increase from what we have now
it would largely remove the funding deficit in the UK economy
and only half of adults in the UK pay tax anyway

@placemats - are they even tax residents here? I doubt it.....

Basic rate of tax should not be touched.

Higher rate of tax is where the money comes from.

Do you not think there is enough food banks in this country?

Perhaps you would enjoy seeing the return of the workhouse Listening

Who cares Laughlin

Proportionate tax to pay is what is equal. Why should the poorly paid fund the rich? It's a Victorian standard that didn't succeed.

I'll gladly wave McCartney and E John goodbye.

Has Macca ever said he'd leave the UK for tax ? From memory he remained here in the 70s despite Labours 90+% tax hike.

Now Phil "House in Switzerland" Collins on the other hand ...

83% you meant to say DRG

John Major cut basic tax to 23%.

But then you have to factor in interest rates.

Also this is now a consumer economy.

SO MUCH has changed from the 1970s/80s/90s

I think Elton stayed, too.

Not sure that would meet my threshold of 'compromise' personally, Viola.

We will still take such a hit.

I think the predictions of the UK going the way of Argentina that we're made by BigChoc and Red are accurate.

When the finance sector shrinks (which it is doing already but will accelerate) we will inevitably see base rate tax go up.
Probably not higher rate (I'm assuming a decade of Tory government).
But we will see much less in the way of services for that.

Honestly, we are going to have to re-organise local tax collection and distribution just to keep basic services in some areas of the North.

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The higher rate of tax includes many middle income professionals who end up paying more in taxes as a percentage of their income than those who are in the highest tax bracket and can afford a good accountant. That's the bit that's bad.

It's your Google and your amazons that could and should pay more tax... It wouldnt need to much to match a rise in personal income tax.

Wonder how much the anti tax avoidance directives from the EU would bring in?

I'm a higher rate taxpayer, professional like red describes but I would never describe myself as middle income on £50k. That puts me about the 88th percentile according to www.gov.uk/government/statistics/percentile-points-from-1-to-99-for-total-income-before-and-after-tax and that makes us very well off, even in a relatively expensive city.

When is it estimated that the EU will respond?

The Times is reporting end of week and only if the deal has not been passed.

Not sure whether this has already been posted.

www.peoples-vote.uk/letter

I really don’t mind paying tax (I earn a six-figure salary and contribute fully via PAYE). Although I do sometimes despair about the way the government spend it. But I think that’s more to do with the current government than the current tax system. If you want public services, then you have to expect to pay towards them, and it makes sense for wealthier people to pay more.

I don't really want to wave goodbye to higher income tax payers as they contribute to what can be spent by the government.

Be careful how you describe your salary @OublietteBravo or you'll conjure up our lovely friend from the other week who so delightfully slagged it off.

I was expecting more of you to argue with me about the likelihood of a CU amendment passing, the WAB failing, and a GE being likely ...

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But ... I still think that takes us to a Johnson-style Brexit ... unless we get a PV ...