Taxation

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 16

Taxation

Sir,—T. E. Langridge (November 17) has touched on one of the problems with a democracy — that the majority decide whether it is right or wrong. What T.R.I.M. is doing with the integrity pledges is to set down a basic guideline within which a democracy can operate successfully. A voter could rightly ask what the intentions of candidates who do not sign these pledges are. The result of a recent poll, showing that approximately 80 per cent of all voters do not trust their political representatives, points to the necessity of restoring more honesty into our system. If Mr Langridge is genuinely interested in making an honest commitment, then he should reconsider signing the integrity pledges.—Yours, etc., BRIAN WILSON. November 17, 1981.

Sir,—After receiving T.R.I.M. literature in my mailbox recently I must take issue with several points in the letter from the Values Party leader, Alan Wilkinson (November 14). He wonders who will oenefit from the turnover tax; everyone, it seems, except those who now evade tax altogether. Besides . being asked to sign a turnover tax pledge, the candidates are offered pledges covering loyalty to electorate, freedom of association, winding down State monopolies and tax increases by electorate consent only. All of these are important areas in our society and must be under voters’ strict control. I supported Values in it? early days as an alternative to party politics. Values support has dropped as it has become more of a party and less of a popular movement. With a massive number of undecided voters, and party platforms miles away from what people want, I think an organisation like T.R.I.M. is just what the doctor ordered—Yours, etc., R. MOORE. November 15, 1981.