2:05pm Thursday 9th July 2009
By Tom Moseley
AN EAST Lancashire Labour MP backed down on his plans to rebel against the Government’s 10p tax rate just hours before a major vote.
Hyndburn MP Greg Pope had helped lead the revolt over the 2007 abolition of the 10p tax rate, but he decided not to vote on an amendment to the finance bill.
Earlier Mr Pope, and fellow rebel Frank Field, had met Chancellor Alistair Darling who had warned them that their amendment would have brought the economy to its knees, and made the collection of all income tax invalid.
In the end the rebel move was defeated by 311 votes to 268.
Before the vote Mr Pope had told the Lancashire Telegraph he was determined to stand his ground over the issue, and did not mind being branded a rebel.
The rebels wanted everyone made worse off by the abolition of the 10p tax rate compensated by the Government, a move that would have cost hundreds and millions of pounds on lost tax revenue.
Mr Pope said: “I did not come into politics to make poor people poorer.”
Yesterday Mr Pope was unavailable for comment.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk