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Version 0	Version 1
Viva la revolution	Viva la revolution
2007-01-15 12:20:20 UTC	2007-01-15 16:00:38 UTC (about 4 hours later)
A POINT OF VIEW By Brian Walden	A POINT OF VIEW By Brian Walden
Interest in our wallets has long caused trouble	Interest in our wallets has long caused trouble
Tax has always been a cause of revolution - so will council tax changes prompt another?	Tax has always been a cause of revolution - so will council tax changes prompt another?
In St. Luke's gospel we're told: "And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed."	In St. Luke's gospel we're told: "And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed."
This provides biblical confirmation of the impression most of us have that ever since there've been governments, these governments have been levying taxes.	This provides biblical confirmation of the impression most of us have that ever since there've been governments, these governments have been levying taxes.
There's an inevitability about taxation that makes it seem one of the foundations of human life. Charles Dickens spotted that taxation had a grip on people's imagination, so he had Mr Barkis tell David Copperfield that his love for his wife "was as true as taxes is. And nothing's truer than them".	There's an inevitability about taxation that makes it seem one of the foundations of human life. Charles Dickens spotted that taxation had a grip on people's imagination, so he had Mr Barkis tell David Copperfield that his love for his wife "was as true as taxes is. And nothing's truer than them".
BBC NEWS: AUDIO Hear A Point of View in the BBC Radio Player	BBC NEWS: AUDIO Hear A Point of View in the BBC Radio Player
St Luke was of course correct in mentioning Roman taxation, but we can take with a pinch of salt the traditional idea that the world groaned under the weight of the tax burden heaped upon it by Rome.	St Luke was of course correct in mentioning Roman taxation, but we can take with a pinch of salt the traditional idea that the world groaned under the weight of the tax burden heaped upon it by Rome.
In truth, taxes played a very minor role in the ancient world. It was later on that taxation began to press more heavily on taxpayers, until in the last few centuries it became the reason for rebellions and sometimes even revolution.	In truth, taxes played a very minor role in the ancient world. It was later on that taxation began to press more heavily on taxpayers, until in the last few centuries it became the reason for rebellions and sometimes even revolution.
The French Revolution of 1789 came about, in part, because the burden of taxation was so unfairly distributed. And the States General, the closest French equivalent to our Parliament, where the revolution began, would never have been summoned to meet if the King hadn't been desperate for money.	The French Revolution of 1789 came about, in part, because the burden of taxation was so unfairly distributed. And the States General, the closest French equivalent to our Parliament, where the revolution began, would never have been summoned to meet if the King hadn't been desperate for money.
It hadn't met for 175 years and was intended merely to agree to some tax changes because France was bankrupt.	It hadn't met for 175 years and was intended merely to agree to some tax changes because France was bankrupt.
The revolution produced sweeping tax reforms that didn't immediately succeed. But in 19th century France, the main proposals of the revolutionaries were adopted.	The revolution produced sweeping tax reforms that didn't immediately succeed. But in 19th century France, the main proposals of the revolutionaries were adopted.
The nobility and the Church were compelled to pay taxes and there were lower taxes for farmers and small businessmen: a victory for the bourgeoisie over its enemies.	The nobility and the Church were compelled to pay taxes and there were lower taxes for farmers and small businessmen: a victory for the bourgeoisie over its enemies.
Smaller civil service	Smaller civil service
Uprisings about taxation have been an even more regular feature of British history.	Uprisings about taxation have been an even more regular feature of British history.
Charles I was beheaded and Britain for a time ceased to be a monarchy because of a quarrel between King and Parliament that was to a considerable degree caused by a dispute about taxation.	Charles I was beheaded and Britain for a time ceased to be a monarchy because of a quarrel between King and Parliament that was to a considerable degree caused by a dispute about taxation.
Charles I could balance the national budget when he chose to put his mind to it. That's hardly surprising when we remember that the total number of paid public officials in the 1630s was under 2000. Half of them were domestic servants of the King; butlers, stable boys and cooks. So the civil service which governed England numbered less then 1000.	Charles I could balance the national budget when he chose to put his mind to it. That's hardly surprising when we remember that the total number of paid public officials in the 1630s was under 2000. Half of them were domestic servants of the King; butlers, stable boys and cooks. So the civil service which governed England numbered less then 1000.
But although the King depended on the support of the gentry to do all the local government work unpaid, he hadn't got the good sense to manage Parliament well.	But although the King depended on the support of the gentry to do all the local government work unpaid, he hadn't got the good sense to manage Parliament well.
So he got into the habit of never summoning it. Since he could get no money by parliamentary supply he raised it in more dubious ways, which brought about the historically famous issue of 'ship money'.	So he got into the habit of never summoning it. Since he could get no money by parliamentary supply he raised it in more dubious ways, which brought about the historically famous issue of 'ship money'.
Ship money was a tax that had long been paid to the King by maritime towns and counties to purchase new ships. In 1635 Charles I made the whole country pay 'Ship Money.'	Ship money was a tax that had long been paid to the King by maritime towns and counties to purchase new ships. In 1635 Charles I made the whole country pay 'Ship Money.'
John Hampden, a landowner in Buckinghamshire and a cousin of Oliver Cromwell refused to pay the tax on principle. It became a very important principle.	John Hampden, a landowner in Buckinghamshire and a cousin of Oliver Cromwell refused to pay the tax on principle. It became a very important principle.
Hampden said the King shouldn't tax his people without Parliament's consent. His refusal to pay 20 shillings brought him before the 12 judges of the Court of the Exchequer. Seven judges sided with the King, but five of them supported Hampden.	Hampden said the King shouldn't tax his people without Parliament's consent. His refusal to pay 20 shillings brought him before the 12 judges of the Court of the Exchequer. Seven judges sided with the King, but five of them supported Hampden.
So the King kept levying the tax, but Hampden was thought to be the moral victor.	So the King kept levying the tax, but Hampden was thought to be the moral victor.
Inspections compulsory	Inspections compulsory
Tragically, this very doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty is what caused the rebellion in America in the 18th century. Britain claimed the right to tax Americans though they weren't represented in the House of Commons. Yet again taxation became the unexpected cause of political change.	Tragically, this very doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty is what caused the rebellion in America in the 18th century. Britain claimed the right to tax Americans though they weren't represented in the House of Commons. Yet again taxation became the unexpected cause of political change.
It's therefore with considerable interest that I see the beginning of a campaign against the likelihood of rises in council tax bills because of household improvements.	It's therefore with considerable interest that I see the beginning of a campaign against the likelihood of rises in council tax bills because of household improvements.
Especially as these improvements may be detected by compulsory inspection of private homes. Such taxation isn't going to cost a king his head, or cause a colonial rebellion, but it has several features of the kind that are notorious for creating unrest.	Especially as these improvements may be detected by compulsory inspection of private homes. Such taxation isn't going to cost a king his head, or cause a colonial rebellion, but it has several features of the kind that are notorious for creating unrest.
The democratic process has been suspended in Northern Ireland so it's governed by Whitehall. And Whitehall has decreed rules are to be introduced there that assess properties every year to take account of household improvement.	The democratic process has been suspended in Northern Ireland so it's governed by Whitehall. And Whitehall has decreed rules are to be introduced there that assess properties every year to take account of household improvement.
Under the present system improvements only increase the tax levied when property changes hands. It's true the tax may rise after a national revaluation, but the last one was in 1990.	Under the present system improvements only increase the tax levied when property changes hands. It's true the tax may rise after a national revaluation, but the last one was in 1990.
I daresay the rest of Britain would regard the misfortune of Northern Ireland with stoical calm, were it not for the fact that this system of annual revaluation is apparently going to be extended to include England.	I daresay the rest of Britain would regard the misfortune of Northern Ireland with stoical calm, were it not for the fact that this system of annual revaluation is apparently going to be extended to include England.
Property taxes are used throughout the Western world for local rather than national government and the council tax has got a property base. But the new system for assessment has got some very objectionable highlights.	Property taxes are used throughout the Western world for local rather than national government and the council tax has got a property base. But the new system for assessment has got some very objectionable highlights.
Whatever precautions are taken, the very nature of these proposals is bound to mean intrusions into privacy. Minor improvements that don't involve planning permission will be discovered by compelling householders to answer questionnaires.	Whatever precautions are taken, the very nature of these proposals is bound to mean intrusions into privacy. Minor improvements that don't involve planning permission will be discovered by compelling householders to answer questionnaires.
But it can't be left like that - the information must be checked. Inspectors will be given the power to enter any home and record everything about it. They can photograph anything they like.	But it can't be left like that - the information must be checked. Inspectors will be given the power to enter any home and record everything about it. They can photograph anything they like.
It will no longer be private, it must be public knowledge, or the authorities can't know what your true tax liability is.	It will no longer be private, it must be public knowledge, or the authorities can't know what your true tax liability is.
Nice area, more tax	Nice area, more tax
In my opinion, that in itself will guarantee this annual valuation will be deeply unpopular. Some sophisticates may think that there can't be anybody left who believes in ancient British freedoms, but they're wrong. Most people have plenty to worry about and don't notice intrusion until it happens to them.	In my opinion, that in itself will guarantee this annual valuation will be deeply unpopular. Some sophisticates may think that there can't be anybody left who believes in ancient British freedoms, but they're wrong. Most people have plenty to worry about and don't notice intrusion until it happens to them.
Of course the whole purpose of the valuation is to tax improvements like the new shed in the garden, the double glazing and the loft conversion. But if you do improve your house you'll pay more tax on it for ever.	Of course the whole purpose of the valuation is to tax improvements like the new shed in the garden, the double glazing and the loft conversion. But if you do improve your house you'll pay more tax on it for ever.
I can see the logic of the tax-gatherers, who must keep finding new ways of increasing taxation to pay for the soaring expenditure of national and local government.	I can see the logic of the tax-gatherers, who must keep finding new ways of increasing taxation to pay for the soaring expenditure of national and local government.