The Telegraph also has an amusing article about Cameron's policy commissions, which are all coming up with contradictory ideas:
Mr Gummer's interest in a carbon tax is, for example, going to send the low tax John Redwood (responsible for Economic Competitiveness) into orbit. The Public Services Group's proposal to open up school catchment areas has infuriated the Quality of Life group who don't want to see the streets overrun by 4x4s and school buses. Iain Duncan Smith's proposals on family policy are running up against Mr Gummer's ideas on the work-life balance.
..........The Tory Tax Commission, which is due to report shortly, is expected to recommend a range of radical tax cuts including lowering the basic rate of income tax from 22 per cent to 20 per cent, slashing corporation tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent and effectively abolishing inheritance tax altogether.
If they were all implemented at once, the proposed tax cuts would total £19 billion over the first term of a Conservative Government.
.........The Public Services group, led by Stephen Dorrell, is, however, adamant that the Tories should spend as much on schools and hospitals as Labour -- and that most of the money will have to come from taxation.
........The Quality of Life group, which deals with everything from nuclear power to nannies, is also likely to run into trouble with the tax-cutters by recommending the introduction of more green levies.
........Mr Lilley admits there are tensions between the Quality of Life group and his own Global Poverty and Globalisation inquiry over air travel. His group wants to help the Third World by promoting tourism to Africa and by making it easier for struggling countries to fly cheap food over here.
........The Social Justice and Social Action group, led by Iain Duncan Smith, is also likely to clash with the Quality of Life group over family life. Mr Gummer is adamant that governments should not be prescriptive about family structures
:-)


