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| Election 2017: Tories under fire over tax plan 'chaos' after Fallon pledge – as it happened | Election 2017: Tories under fire over tax plan 'chaos' after Fallon pledge – as it happened |
| (5 months later) | |
| The defence secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, said in an interview published today that high earners will not face income tax rises if Theresa May is returned to No 10. “You’ve seen our record. We’re not in the business of punishing people for getting on,” he said. “On the contrary, we want people to keep more of their earnings. The only way they can be sure their taxes won’t rise is to vote Conservative.” | The defence secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, said in an interview published today that high earners will not face income tax rises if Theresa May is returned to No 10. “You’ve seen our record. We’re not in the business of punishing people for getting on,” he said. “On the contrary, we want people to keep more of their earnings. The only way they can be sure their taxes won’t rise is to vote Conservative.” |
| But during a campaign presser in West Yorkshire this morning, May refused to echo Fallon’s claims. “Our plans on tax have been set up in the manifesto, we are a party that believe in low taxes … when people come to vote they know they have a choice between a party that has always believed in lower taxes and a Labour party whose manifesto we know will cost ordinary working people,” she said. | But during a campaign presser in West Yorkshire this morning, May refused to echo Fallon’s claims. “Our plans on tax have been set up in the manifesto, we are a party that believe in low taxes … when people come to vote they know they have a choice between a party that has always believed in lower taxes and a Labour party whose manifesto we know will cost ordinary working people,” she said. |
| In response, Corbyn has said the Tories are in “chaos” over their tax plans. “One minister says they’re going to give no more tax rises, indeed possibly tax reductions, for the very wealthiest; then they can’t answer the question about tax rises for the rest of the population; then they can’t answer the questions about funding social care”. The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said Fallon’s comments showed the Tories were the party for “the few, not the many”, and the Lib Dem former business secretary Sir Vince Cable said they indicated that the Tories would raise national insurance instead. | In response, Corbyn has said the Tories are in “chaos” over their tax plans. “One minister says they’re going to give no more tax rises, indeed possibly tax reductions, for the very wealthiest; then they can’t answer the question about tax rises for the rest of the population; then they can’t answer the questions about funding social care”. The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said Fallon’s comments showed the Tories were the party for “the few, not the many”, and the Lib Dem former business secretary Sir Vince Cable said they indicated that the Tories would raise national insurance instead. |
| During the same campaign stop in Lincoln on Saturday, Jeremy Corbyn promised to protect Britain from global threats after facing criticism for refusing to say whether he would launch a retaliatory nuclear strike. The Labour leader suggested he would sign off on more ships for the Navy and extra surveillance aircraft for the RAF alongside pledges to boost funding and numbers in the police and armed services. “We will protect the people of this country from any threat that they face anywhere in the world,” he said. | During the same campaign stop in Lincoln on Saturday, Jeremy Corbyn promised to protect Britain from global threats after facing criticism for refusing to say whether he would launch a retaliatory nuclear strike. The Labour leader suggested he would sign off on more ships for the Navy and extra surveillance aircraft for the RAF alongside pledges to boost funding and numbers in the police and armed services. “We will protect the people of this country from any threat that they face anywhere in the world,” he said. |
| Meanwhile, Iain Duncan Smith was on the Today programme to defend May’s refusal to debate with Corbyn, maintaining that debates didn’t change opinion. The former Labour leader Ed Miliband refuted this, stating: “I think that debates and opportunities to speak to the public do have an effect, particularly for leaders of the opposition.” Miliband also said Corbyn’s was a “more radical” manifesto but that “it’s a manifesto I’m proud to be associated with”. | Meanwhile, Iain Duncan Smith was on the Today programme to defend May’s refusal to debate with Corbyn, maintaining that debates didn’t change opinion. The former Labour leader Ed Miliband refuted this, stating: “I think that debates and opportunities to speak to the public do have an effect, particularly for leaders of the opposition.” Miliband also said Corbyn’s was a “more radical” manifesto but that “it’s a manifesto I’m proud to be associated with”. |
| While Nicola Sturgeon told voters they have a “golden opportunity” to end austerity across the UK, Ruth Davidson said the election was the last chance to avoid a second independence referendum. “Thursday’s election is the last chance we’ll have to stop Nicola Sturgeon in her tracks,” she said. | While Nicola Sturgeon told voters they have a “golden opportunity” to end austerity across the UK, Ruth Davidson said the election was the last chance to avoid a second independence referendum. “Thursday’s election is the last chance we’ll have to stop Nicola Sturgeon in her tracks,” she said. |
| We’re closing the liveblog now, but keep up to speed with our news reports as the next 24 hours promise to be significant in the campaign. | We’re closing the liveblog now, but keep up to speed with our news reports as the next 24 hours promise to be significant in the campaign. |
| Six polls are due to come out later today and a series of interviews will take place on the Sunday politics shows tomorrow. | Six polls are due to come out later today and a series of interviews will take place on the Sunday politics shows tomorrow. |
| Voting intention polls due today (5pm onwards):ComRes (GB)ICM (GB)Opinium (GB)ORB (GB)Survation (GB)Survation (Scotland)YouGov (GB) | Voting intention polls due today (5pm onwards):ComRes (GB)ICM (GB)Opinium (GB)ORB (GB)Survation (GB)Survation (Scotland)YouGov (GB) |
| Thanks for reading. | Thanks for reading. |
| With less than a week to go before polling day, British newspapers and magazines have begun publishing their traditional election editorials, advising readers on how to vote. | With less than a week to go before polling day, British newspapers and magazines have begun publishing their traditional election editorials, advising readers on how to vote. |
| The Guardian released its view on the 2017 election last night. Read it here. And here’s round-up of all the others: | The Guardian released its view on the 2017 election last night. Read it here. And here’s round-up of all the others: |
| Jeremy Corbyn has claimed the Conservatives’ tax plans are in “chaos” after Theresa May failed to back a senior minister who said higher earners will not face an income tax hike under a new Tory government. | Jeremy Corbyn has claimed the Conservatives’ tax plans are in “chaos” after Theresa May failed to back a senior minister who said higher earners will not face an income tax hike under a new Tory government. |
| Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said voting Conservative in the General Election on Thursday was “the only way” people could be sure income tax would not go up. His comments went further than the party’s manifesto, which said they would keep taxes “low” but did not rule out a rise in income tax. | Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said voting Conservative in the General Election on Thursday was “the only way” people could be sure income tax would not go up. His comments went further than the party’s manifesto, which said they would keep taxes “low” but did not rule out a rise in income tax. |
| Campaigning in West Yorkshire, the prime minister declined to be drawn on his comments, saying only it was their “firm intention” to reduce taxes for ordinary families. She said: “Our position on tax hasn’t changed. We have set it out in the manifesto. It is our firm intention to reduce taxes for ordinary working families.” | Campaigning in West Yorkshire, the prime minister declined to be drawn on his comments, saying only it was their “firm intention” to reduce taxes for ordinary families. She said: “Our position on tax hasn’t changed. We have set it out in the manifesto. It is our firm intention to reduce taxes for ordinary working families.” |
| Her comments were seized on by Corbyn, who said the Conservative leadership was in disarray. | Her comments were seized on by Corbyn, who said the Conservative leadership was in disarray. |
| “I think there’s complete chaos going on at the top of the Government,” he said during a campaign visit to Lincoln. “One minister says they’re going to give no more tax rises, indeed possibly tax reductions for the very wealthiest, then they can’t answer the question about tax rises for the rest of the population, then they can’t answer the questions about funding social care.” | “I think there’s complete chaos going on at the top of the Government,” he said during a campaign visit to Lincoln. “One minister says they’re going to give no more tax rises, indeed possibly tax reductions for the very wealthiest, then they can’t answer the question about tax rises for the rest of the population, then they can’t answer the questions about funding social care.” |
| For the Liberal Democrats, former business minister Jo Swinson said: “The Conservatives are in utter mayhem over their tax policy.” | For the Liberal Democrats, former business minister Jo Swinson said: “The Conservatives are in utter mayhem over their tax policy.” |
| The Conservative manifesto said there would be no increase in VAT but dropped David Cameron’s pledge not to raise income tax or national insurance contributions after Chancellor Philip Hammond complained that it limited his room for manoeuvre. | The Conservative manifesto said there would be no increase in VAT but dropped David Cameron’s pledge not to raise income tax or national insurance contributions after Chancellor Philip Hammond complained that it limited his room for manoeuvre. |
| However, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Fallon made it clear that income tax “absolutely” would not rise under a re-elected Tory government. | However, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Fallon made it clear that income tax “absolutely” would not rise under a re-elected Tory government. |
| Asked if high earners could confidently vote Conservative next week, safe in the knowledge that their income tax would not go up, Sir Michael said: “Yes. | Asked if high earners could confidently vote Conservative next week, safe in the knowledge that their income tax would not go up, Sir Michael said: “Yes. |
| “You’ve seen our record. We’re not in the business of punishing people for getting on, on the contrary we want people to keep more of their earnings. The only way they can be sure their taxes won’t rise is to vote Conservative. We already know your tax will go up if you vote Labour on Thursday.” | “You’ve seen our record. We’re not in the business of punishing people for getting on, on the contrary we want people to keep more of their earnings. The only way they can be sure their taxes won’t rise is to vote Conservative. We already know your tax will go up if you vote Labour on Thursday.” |
| More from Scotland now, where Ruth Davidson is seeing the election less as a “golden opportunity” (13:42) and instead as the last chance to avoid a second independence referendum. | More from Scotland now, where Ruth Davidson is seeing the election less as a “golden opportunity” (13:42) and instead as the last chance to avoid a second independence referendum. |
| “Thursday’s election is the last chance we’ll have to stop Nicola Sturgeon in her tracks,” The Scottish Conservative leader said. “It’s our last opportunity to have our say, make Nicola Sturgeon listen for once - and stop her second referendum. | “Thursday’s election is the last chance we’ll have to stop Nicola Sturgeon in her tracks,” The Scottish Conservative leader said. “It’s our last opportunity to have our say, make Nicola Sturgeon listen for once - and stop her second referendum. |
| “Come Friday morning, once we’ve cast our vote, we all know what she will try to do. She’ll try to use the result to push her demand for that second referendum.” She urged all voters to back the Scottish Conservatives to stop the SNP. The party leader said: “I’m not asking you to agree with me on everything. I just want us to come together on this one big thing - to stop the SNP in their tracks. | “Come Friday morning, once we’ve cast our vote, we all know what she will try to do. She’ll try to use the result to push her demand for that second referendum.” She urged all voters to back the Scottish Conservatives to stop the SNP. The party leader said: “I’m not asking you to agree with me on everything. I just want us to come together on this one big thing - to stop the SNP in their tracks. |
| “This election isn’t about deciding whether you’re Tory, or Labour, or Lib Dem. It’s about sending Nicola Sturgeon a message. And by voting for me and my team, we can do just that. | “This election isn’t about deciding whether you’re Tory, or Labour, or Lib Dem. It’s about sending Nicola Sturgeon a message. And by voting for me and my team, we can do just that. |
| “So - Thursday is the last chance we’ll have to shout out loud and clear what we think of Nicola Sturgeon’s plans. Only a vote for the Scottish Conservatives will make her listen.” | “So - Thursday is the last chance we’ll have to shout out loud and clear what we think of Nicola Sturgeon’s plans. Only a vote for the Scottish Conservatives will make her listen.” |
| At a campaign stop in Lincoln on Saturday, Jeremy Corbyn promised to protect Britain from global threats after facing criticism for refusing to say whether he would launch a retaliatory nuclear strike. | At a campaign stop in Lincoln on Saturday, Jeremy Corbyn promised to protect Britain from global threats after facing criticism for refusing to say whether he would launch a retaliatory nuclear strike. |
| The Labour leader suggested he would sign off on more ships for the Navy and extra surveillance aircraft for the RAF alongside pledges to boost funding and numbers in the police and armed services. | The Labour leader suggested he would sign off on more ships for the Navy and extra surveillance aircraft for the RAF alongside pledges to boost funding and numbers in the police and armed services. |
| It comes after Corbyn came under tough interrogation over his attitude to nuclear weapons during Friday’s BBC Question Time leaders special. He has repeatedly been asked throughout the campaign about whether he would “push the button”. | It comes after Corbyn came under tough interrogation over his attitude to nuclear weapons during Friday’s BBC Question Time leaders special. He has repeatedly been asked throughout the campaign about whether he would “push the button”. |
| Labour officially backs the renewal of Britian’s nuclear deterrent, but Corbyn has spoken against the move in the past. | Labour officially backs the renewal of Britian’s nuclear deterrent, but Corbyn has spoken against the move in the past. |
| After hosting a roundtable with pensioners in Lincoln, Corbyn was asked if he would keep the British people safe as prime minister. The Labour leader replied: “We will protect the people of this country from any threat that they face anywhere in the world. | After hosting a roundtable with pensioners in Lincoln, Corbyn was asked if he would keep the British people safe as prime minister. The Labour leader replied: “We will protect the people of this country from any threat that they face anywhere in the world. |
| He went on: | He went on: |
| We will invest properly in our police service, we will invest properly in our armed services, the numbers in the armed services have gone down, the Navy are crying out for more ships, the Air Force are crying out for more surveillance aircraft. We would fund them properly to achieve all of that. | We will invest properly in our police service, we will invest properly in our armed services, the numbers in the armed services have gone down, the Navy are crying out for more ships, the Air Force are crying out for more surveillance aircraft. We would fund them properly to achieve all of that. |
| We would also face up to the terrible danger of cyber attacks against our society, look what happened to the NHS only two weeks ago, and we will deal with the issue of the terrorist threat which is obviously appalling. | We would also face up to the terrible danger of cyber attacks against our society, look what happened to the NHS only two weeks ago, and we will deal with the issue of the terrorist threat which is obviously appalling. |
| What happened in Manchester was dreadful beyond belief, the way you deal with that is putting more police on the streets - we will put 10,000 more police on the streets, the Conservatives are taking 20,000 off the streets. We will fund the security services to monitor people and protect them, but also our strategy is to bring communities together.” | What happened in Manchester was dreadful beyond belief, the way you deal with that is putting more police on the streets - we will put 10,000 more police on the streets, the Conservatives are taking 20,000 off the streets. We will fund the security services to monitor people and protect them, but also our strategy is to bring communities together.” |
| Nicola Sturgeon, who spent much of the morning in a helicopter (see 10:56), has been telling voters they have a “golden opportunity” to end austerity across the UK. | Nicola Sturgeon, who spent much of the morning in a helicopter (see 10:56), has been telling voters they have a “golden opportunity” to end austerity across the UK. |
| The Scottish first minister said the poll on June 8 will give people the chance to say “enough is enough” and urged them to back her party, saying “now more than ever it is vital that we have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland”. | The Scottish first minister said the poll on June 8 will give people the chance to say “enough is enough” and urged them to back her party, saying “now more than ever it is vital that we have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland”. |
| She said: | She said: |
| The Tories’ austerity agenda has failed on every count - not only has it choked off the economic recovery but the years of underinvestment have put huge pressure on public services across the UK. | The Tories’ austerity agenda has failed on every count - not only has it choked off the economic recovery but the years of underinvestment have put huge pressure on public services across the UK. |
| We simply can’t go on with more of the same but that is exactly what the Tories are planning to do - and this snap election has presented a golden opportunity for voters across Scotland to say enough is enough. | We simply can’t go on with more of the same but that is exactly what the Tories are planning to do - and this snap election has presented a golden opportunity for voters across Scotland to say enough is enough. |
| With polls tightening across the UK, the votes of people across Scotland could determine the size of Theresa May’s majority in the next parliament.” | With polls tightening across the UK, the votes of people across Scotland could determine the size of Theresa May’s majority in the next parliament.” |
| Nigel Farage has said he felt “a degree of vindication” after hearing that prosecutors had brought charges against Craig Mackinlay, the Conservative candidate who defeated him in South Thanet in 2015. The former Ukip leader told the Press Association: | Nigel Farage has said he felt “a degree of vindication” after hearing that prosecutors had brought charges against Craig Mackinlay, the Conservative candidate who defeated him in South Thanet in 2015. The former Ukip leader told the Press Association: |
| I was very upset two years ago at the circumstances and what took place in that seat. | I was very upset two years ago at the circumstances and what took place in that seat. |
| I never complained, I never said anything in public about it but I did feel, with the Crown Prosecution yesterday deciding to prosecute three people, a degree of vindication. | I never complained, I never said anything in public about it but I did feel, with the Crown Prosecution yesterday deciding to prosecute three people, a degree of vindication. |
| Yesterday it emerged Mackinlay will face court after the election over allegations relating to election spending in his battle with Farage, but insists he is confident he will be cleared and will continue to campaign for re-election as the Kent constituency’s MP. | Yesterday it emerged Mackinlay will face court after the election over allegations relating to election spending in his battle with Farage, but insists he is confident he will be cleared and will continue to campaign for re-election as the Kent constituency’s MP. |
| After the charges against him and two Tory officials were announced, he received the backing of Theresa May, who said: “The Conservative Party continues to believe that these allegations are unfounded. Craig Mackinlay is innocent until proven guilty and he remains our candidate.” | After the charges against him and two Tory officials were announced, he received the backing of Theresa May, who said: “The Conservative Party continues to believe that these allegations are unfounded. Craig Mackinlay is innocent until proven guilty and he remains our candidate.” |
| But Farage claimed the charges reflected “badly” on the PM and said if he was running the party he would have told Mackinlay that he could not stand but would bring him back if he was found innocent. | But Farage claimed the charges reflected “badly” on the PM and said if he was running the party he would have told Mackinlay that he could not stand but would bring him back if he was found innocent. |
| Jeremy Corbyn has said the Tories are in “chaos” over their tax plans. | Jeremy Corbyn has said the Tories are in “chaos” over their tax plans. |
| After hosting a roundtable with pensioners in Lincoln, the Labour leader told reporters: | After hosting a roundtable with pensioners in Lincoln, the Labour leader told reporters: |
| I think there’s complete chaos going on at the top of the government. | I think there’s complete chaos going on at the top of the government. |
| One minister says they’re going to give no more tax rises, indeed possibly tax reductions, for the very wealthiest; then they can’t answer the question about tax rises for the rest of the population; then they can’t answer the questions about funding social care. | One minister says they’re going to give no more tax rises, indeed possibly tax reductions, for the very wealthiest; then they can’t answer the question about tax rises for the rest of the population; then they can’t answer the questions about funding social care. |
| Let’s be clear – what Labour are offering is no tax rises or national insurance rises or VAT rises for 95% of the population. | Let’s be clear – what Labour are offering is no tax rises or national insurance rises or VAT rises for 95% of the population. |
| Labour launched its dedicated disability manifesto in Manchester today. It includes a pledge to scrap the bedroom tax and a promise to bring back housing benefit for the under-21s. | Labour launched its dedicated disability manifesto in Manchester today. It includes a pledge to scrap the bedroom tax and a promise to bring back housing benefit for the under-21s. |
| Labour's @Debbie_abrahams has launched Labour's #DisabilityManifesto today in Manchester. Nothing about you without you #Solidarity #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/C0zUEpUpfs | Labour's @Debbie_abrahams has launched Labour's #DisabilityManifesto today in Manchester. Nothing about you without you #Solidarity #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/C0zUEpUpfs |
| The defence secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, said in an interview published today that high earners will not face income tax rises if Theresa May is returned to No 10. “You’ve seen our record. We’re not in the business of punishing people for getting on,” he said. “On the contrary, we want people to keep more of their earnings. The only way they can be sure their taxes won’t rise is to vote Conservative.” | The defence secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, said in an interview published today that high earners will not face income tax rises if Theresa May is returned to No 10. “You’ve seen our record. We’re not in the business of punishing people for getting on,” he said. “On the contrary, we want people to keep more of their earnings. The only way they can be sure their taxes won’t rise is to vote Conservative.” |
| But during a campaign presser in West Yorkshire this morning, May refused to echo Fallon’s claims. “Our plans on tax have been set up in the manifesto, we are a party that believe in low taxes … when people come to vote they know they have a choice between a party that has always believed in lower taxes and a Labour party whose manifesto we know will cost ordinary working people,” she said. | But during a campaign presser in West Yorkshire this morning, May refused to echo Fallon’s claims. “Our plans on tax have been set up in the manifesto, we are a party that believe in low taxes … when people come to vote they know they have a choice between a party that has always believed in lower taxes and a Labour party whose manifesto we know will cost ordinary working people,” she said. |
| The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said Fallon’s comments showed the Tories were the party for “the few, not the many”, and the Lib Dem former business secretary Sir Vince Cable said they indicated that the Tories would raise national insurance instead. | The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said Fallon’s comments showed the Tories were the party for “the few, not the many”, and the Lib Dem former business secretary Sir Vince Cable said they indicated that the Tories would raise national insurance instead. |
| Meanwhile, Iain Duncan Smith was on the Today programme to defend May’s refusal to debate with Corbyn, maintaining that debates didn’t change opinion. The former Labour leader Ed Miliband refuted this, stating: “I think that debates and opportunities to speak to the public do have an effect, particularly for leaders of the opposition.” Miliband also said Corbyn’s was a “more radical” manifesto but that “it’s a manifesto I’m proud to be associated with”. | Meanwhile, Iain Duncan Smith was on the Today programme to defend May’s refusal to debate with Corbyn, maintaining that debates didn’t change opinion. The former Labour leader Ed Miliband refuted this, stating: “I think that debates and opportunities to speak to the public do have an effect, particularly for leaders of the opposition.” Miliband also said Corbyn’s was a “more radical” manifesto but that “it’s a manifesto I’m proud to be associated with”. |
| The Lib Dem former business secretary Sir Vince Cable has said Michael Fallon’s comments about income tax “raise the obvious question as to where the Conservatives will raise the money that their chancellor knows will be needed if promised funding for schools, the NHS, the police and defence is to materialise. | The Lib Dem former business secretary Sir Vince Cable has said Michael Fallon’s comments about income tax “raise the obvious question as to where the Conservatives will raise the money that their chancellor knows will be needed if promised funding for schools, the NHS, the police and defence is to materialise. |
| “Since they are ruling out increases in income [and] corporate tax and VAT we must assume that there will be an increase in national insurance and in various ‘stealth taxes’ yet to be specified. It undoubtedly raises suspicions.” | “Since they are ruling out increases in income [and] corporate tax and VAT we must assume that there will be an increase in national insurance and in various ‘stealth taxes’ yet to be specified. It undoubtedly raises suspicions.” |
| The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, and shadow minister Andrew Gwynne were on the news channels to discuss last night’s debates. Here’s how it went … | The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, and shadow minister Andrew Gwynne were on the news channels to discuss last night’s debates. Here’s how it went … |
| Things got fiery between Boris Johnson and Shadow Minister Andrew Gwynne...for the second time in five days pic.twitter.com/dQCGTtBxQS | Things got fiery between Boris Johnson and Shadow Minister Andrew Gwynne...for the second time in five days pic.twitter.com/dQCGTtBxQS |
| Nicola Sturgeon has embarked on her tour of Scottish constituencies via a helicopter, which has been dubbed the “Nicolopter”. | Nicola Sturgeon has embarked on her tour of Scottish constituencies via a helicopter, which has been dubbed the “Nicolopter”. |
| During the presser May said Labour was scaremongering on the closure of A&Es, and asked people to look at the Conservative party’s increased funding for the NHS. | During the presser May said Labour was scaremongering on the closure of A&Es, and asked people to look at the Conservative party’s increased funding for the NHS. |