Leave no one in doubt

The Conservatives have at long last committed themselves to a tax-cutting agenda:

The Conservatives plan to offer tax cuts at the next general election in a shift aimed at highlighting the divide between their policies and the tax increases introduced by Labour.

So is that settled then?

Oliver Letwin issued a statement clarifying the party’s position after earlier appearing to slam the door on a manifesto commitment to reduce the tax burden.

In an interview with the Telegraph yesterday, he surprised senior colleagues by declaring: “We will not go to the polls at the next election saying that we will reduce the tax bill.”

Er… so it’s not settled.

A spokesman for Mr Letwin said: “The Tory party has always and will always be a low tax party.

So they are going to cut taxes?

“We will not make any irresponsible promises or do anything which that put the public services or Britain’s finances at risk.”

Or, they’re not.

So that’s clear then. Or not. They want low taxes. Or they don’t. Or they do. In principle. If nobody minds too much. They have made a commitment. Or not. Well, a bit of a commitment. A qualified promise. More of an aspiration really. An idle thought. Just a suggestion. They are going to run it up the flagpole and see if the cat licks it up. But not yet. Soon. Maybe. Possibly not though. Let’s not be too hasty. The Conservatives are muddled. Well, a bit muddled. Not coherent at all. But they expect to be. Sometime. Cannot promise when. Er, what was the question? Can’t we change the subject? Good grief, is that the time? They have just remembered..er, a very important appointment. Must dash.

[My thanks to Melanie Phillips for the links.]