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Call it a “green tax” and no-one quibbles

Vic Barlow
15/11/2006

AS I write politicians are screaming about catastrophic climate change. So strident are the warnings it seems it's likely to happen within the next 24 hours. Action must be taken immediately and for some reason all the 'action' must involve higher taxes.

No grants to make homes more energy efficient, or subsidised public transport. No suggestion government ministers will reduce their personal travel or give up ministerial limos; just increased taxation.

I'm as concerned about the planet as anyone, but while the public view climate change as a problem, politicians see it as an opportunity. Everyone rails at higher taxes but call it a 'green' tax and, hey-Prescott, no-one quibbles. Objecting to a 'green' tax is like spitting in church and anyone who does so will be branded a Neanderthal.

To politicians climate change is a Godsend, presenting untold opportunities to raise revenue but unlike war, famine or disaster it has no time frame. It's perfect.

There is no suggestion Heathrow's planned Terminal Five will be cancelled (far too much revenue involved), better to tax holidaymakers booking cheap flights. In fact there is no indication of any REDUCTION in government income whatsoever. No sacrifices of any kind. Prescott will maintain his two Jags, Mr Blair will still use RAF transport, and MPs will somehow find a way to claw back any personal expenditure accrued in the name of saving the planet.

The UK currently produces less than two per cent of the world's greenhouse gases, so even if we all revert to horse drawn transport and bathe in the Bollin we're not really going to make much impact.

Of course, we must do our bit to save the planet but let's not be gullible. Remember how strident government warnings were about Weapons of Mass Destruction? Look where that got us.

  • THE views on this page are those of Vic Barlow and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Express.

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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   Was this not talked about in your column very recently? I think it is important that we take responsibility for the environmental impact we make, the argument that we only create 2% of the worlds greenhouse gasses so why bother reducing it is very ignorant and possibly dangerous toward future generations. I think that financial penalties are quite effective at making people consider making changes to their behaviour.
Holly, Macclesfield
20/11/2006 at 17:58
   Vic, I agree totally with your comments. I could rattle on for ages about this topic. In America, for instance, any vehicle which has an engine smaller than a 4l is classed as a 'lawn mower'. The Americans can afford to run a large engine as the fuel tax is nothing like as expensive as it is over here. If Blair is as 'chummy' with Bush as he makes out then isn't it about time they joined with Europe in the fight against climate change. If there was a environmentally-friendly car at a reasonable price out there then I would buy one - after all, surely everyone wants to lower their energy bills......
Resident, Macclesfield
17/11/2006 at 14:38
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