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David Miliband to chair discussion as part of Labour’s policy review

October 8, 2012 8:36 am

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David Miliband is set to chair a discussion on the theme of “rebuilding the economy” as part of Labour’s policy review. David has been doing lectures with Jon Cruddas for a while now - but as far as I can tell this is the first set since Cruddas became Labour’s policy chief (or “secretary” of the policy review as he prefers to call it…).

Miliband will chair a session on “Creating a British Investment Bank” at the end of the month, with the other lectures in the series (“A banking system that works for Britain” and “What kind of private sector do we need?”) being chaired by Cruddas.

Whilst this seems to stop short of Miliband taking an official or even semi-official role in the policy review, it suggests that he will still play an active part, thanks to his relationship with those running it.

Related posts:

  1. David Miliband lectures to return
  2. Miliband launches policy review groups
  3. Review of the race: David Miliband
  4. The race in review: David Miliband
  5. Cruddas to run for Labour Party Chair
  • MrSauce

    Here’s policy no.1
    I want a clear, precise, up-to-date and definitive statement of an individual’s tax responsibilities posted through every household’s door every year.  If it cannot be defined one side of A4 then the tax system must be simplified until it can.

    • Brumanuensis

      You want the Treasury to calculate every individual’s tax liabilities and present them ex post facto? I think Sweden has that approach, but it might prove controversial here.

      Why one side of A4?

      • MrSauce

        I was not thinking of a personalised document, but that is also a good idea.
        I was thinking of a single, clear, definitive statement of tax responsibilities to cover every individual.
        It would state tax thresholds and what % tax on what earnings.
        Also covering payments-in-kind.
        It would state what, if any, sources of income are taxed differently, and how they are taxed.
        It would state what rebates are available.
        No loopholes, no scams, no excuses.
        Everyone will know how they are taxed and what they have to pay, precisely.

        What I want is simplicity, not a 700-page rulebook.
        One side of A4 might be an unachievable goal, but that should be the direction to head in – not ever-more complex rules to be bent and twisted.

        Slice through the Gordian knot of tax and tax fiddles.

        • Brumanuensis

          Ok, that’s clearer. I’m all in favour of viable forms of tax simplification, but complexity is not in itself undesirable. In a modern economy with a very diverse range of revenue streams, it is inevitable that the tax code will not be easy to summarise, even after simplification. Eliminating unecessary deductions would be a useful reform though, I agree.

  • MrSauce

    While we wait for a second policy suggestion, I’ll answer JC’s question:  Bigger.

  • MrSauce

    I thought the mention of a policy review would prompt a flurry of policy ideas.
    Maybe I’m too new here to know that isn’t how it works.
    Does Labour accept suggestions from non-millionaires these days?

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