Tax cuts pledges now would be folly

Sometimes I wonder why members of my party seem intent on destroying a good thing. The reports of grassroot dissention over the lack of tax cut pledges is a perfect example.

Yesterday, in his opening conference address, David Cameron spelt out quite clearly that he wouldn't make any promises that he couldn't keep, and that any tax cut would have to be fully funded, and above scrutiny by Labour. But that does not seem to be good enough for some members.

However, David is spot on. After all, we are still three years away from the next election. If David Cameron makes a tax promise now, he may well not be able to keep that when the election comes around, because who knows how much more damage Gordon Brown (and his successor at number 11, if he wins the leadership race) can do. It is perfectly acceptable, and prudent, to say yes we will lower taxes if the economy lets us, but to commit to specific cuts now would be folly.

The leading men calling for tax cut commitments, are John Redwood and Lord Tebbit. Yesterday's men. Sorry but they are, especially John Redwood who, and lets be truthful about this, set the wheels in motion with his leadership challenge against John Major, destroying the party's credibility, and allowing Blair to railroad the next three elections.

So, lets have a reality check please. We are three years away from an election, although I have a sneaky suspicion that Gordon will string it out to four, and ANY policy now, would be either obsolete by then, destroyed by Labour's spin doctors, or even pinched and sold as a Labour idea if it's any good.

David Cameron and his team are right not to make promises that may not be able to keep in three or four years time. The electorate has had to suffer enough broken promises under Labour.