This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/5358422.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Sir Menzies faces battle over tax Sir Menzies faces battle over tax
(40 minutes later)
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell is striving to avoid a blow to his authority as he puts his tax plans to a crunch vote at the party's conference.Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell is striving to avoid a blow to his authority as he puts his tax plans to a crunch vote at the party's conference.
Opponents of his plans to ditch the party's commitment to a 50p top tax rate say they think they can win the vote in Brighton.Opponents of his plans to ditch the party's commitment to a 50p top tax rate say they think they can win the vote in Brighton.
Sir Menzies wants to use new green taxes to fund cuts to income taxes. Sir Menzies wants to use new green taxes to fund cuts in income taxes.
The tax debate comes as Charles Kennedy returns to the conference platform eight months after quitting as leader.The tax debate comes as Charles Kennedy returns to the conference platform eight months after quitting as leader.
Mr Kennedy, who led the party to its best election result in 80 years in 2005, admitted a drink problem and quit after several frontbenchers said they would no longer serve under him.Mr Kennedy, who led the party to its best election result in 80 years in 2005, admitted a drink problem and quit after several frontbenchers said they would no longer serve under him.
He is expected to win a warm reception from delegates but Lib Dem officials say they are not worried Sir Menzies could be overshadowed by his predecessor.He is expected to win a warm reception from delegates but Lib Dem officials say they are not worried Sir Menzies could be overshadowed by his predecessor.
Sir Menzies said: "I'm sure he will make his usually extremely accomplished and witty speech. It'll be a highlight of the conference."Sir Menzies said: "I'm sure he will make his usually extremely accomplished and witty speech. It'll be a highlight of the conference."
'Moving beyond protest''Moving beyond protest'
The Lib Dem leader told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he would be "disappointed" if he lost the tax vote, which has dominated debate in Brighton.The Lib Dem leader told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he would be "disappointed" if he lost the tax vote, which has dominated debate in Brighton.
He said the vote result - due shortly before 1300 BST - would become party policy but it was up to the Lib Dem policy committee to decide whether it should feature in the next election manifesto.He said the vote result - due shortly before 1300 BST - would become party policy but it was up to the Lib Dem policy committee to decide whether it should feature in the next election manifesto.
Sir Menzies said the Lib Dems had to show they were serious about moving from being a party of opposition "towards being a party of government". Opposition to the leadership plans is being led by party science spokesman Evan Harris, who says he can carry the vote.
"In order to do that we have got to ensure our credibility, particularly in issues like taxation, is beyond reproach," he said. He is proposing an amendment which would promise a 50p tax rate on earnings over £150,000, with the money used to take another 300,000 people out of paying tax.
'Symbolism'
Lib Dem deputy leader and Treasury spokesman Vince Cable opened the debate in a packed conference hall.
He accused Mr Harris of taking the "popular bits" out of the Lib Dem tax pledges made at the last election.
"I ask you to choose substance and seriousness over symbols and sentiment," said Mr Cable.
But backing Mr Harris' amendment, Arnie Gibbons said it was those wanting to drop the top tax rate plan who were focusing on symbolism.
"We don't have that many populist policies, let's not abandon one of the best," he said.
"The 50p tax rate is not a gesture but abandoning it would be."
I think we have got a chance of winning Evan HarrisOrganiser of tax plan opposition Conference at-a-glance Sketch: Sir Menzies questionedI think we have got a chance of winning Evan HarrisOrganiser of tax plan opposition Conference at-a-glance Sketch: Sir Menzies questioned
Some activists fear the tax vote is a sign the party is moving to the right.
North Bedfordshire Councillor Linda Jack said the promise of a 50p top tax rate had been easy for voters to understand.
Sir Menzies wants to drop the previous promise of a 50p tax on earnings over £100,000 and focus on "taxing pollution, not people".Sir Menzies wants to drop the previous promise of a 50p tax on earnings over £100,000 and focus on "taxing pollution, not people".
Tax hikes for gas-guzzling cars and aviation would raise £8bn to help pay for the £18.7bn in tax cuts in other areas.Tax hikes for gas-guzzling cars and aviation would raise £8bn to help pay for the £18.7bn in tax cuts in other areas.
'Not soft on rich''Not soft on rich'
The Lib Dems say they would take two million people out of paying income tax by scrapping the 10p bottom rate and raising the threshold for national insurance contributions.The Lib Dems say they would take two million people out of paying income tax by scrapping the 10p bottom rate and raising the threshold for national insurance contributions.
There are sweeteners for middle earners too, through a 2% cut in the basic income tax rate, raising the threshold for the upper tax rate to £50,000 and cutting corporation tax by 1%.There are sweeteners for middle earners too, through a 2% cut in the basic income tax rate, raising the threshold for the upper tax rate to £50,000 and cutting corporation tax by 1%.
HAVE YOUR SAY The Lib Dems must be clear about their policies, not like Labour and the Tories who dodge hard questions Bruce Castle, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The Lib Dems must be clear about their policies, not like Labour and the Tories who dodge hard questions Bruce Castle, London Send us your comments
The Lib Dems say 90% of taxpayers will benefit from the package, with only the top 10% paying more. The Lib Dems insist the package will not hit the middle classes disproportionately, saying 90% of taxpayers will benefit, with only the top 10% of earners paying more.
Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne denied the overall package would hit the middle classes or the poor. The package is meant to have no overall effect on tax revenues.
Only the top 10% of earners would be losers, he said. But critics question whether there will be a black hole in the sums if the green taxes do succeed in changing people's polluting behaviour - something Lib Dem officials deny.
Mr Huhne said the opposition amendment would undermine the "simplicity" of the plan, although critics say it is too complicated.
The package is meant to have no overall effect on tax revenues but critics question whether there will be a black hole in the sums if the green taxes do change behaviour.
Mr Huhne insisted that experience from abroad showed total tax receipts would not fall, although there was a "level of uncertainty" about what would happen in Britain.
Lib Dem science spokesman Evan Harris is leading opposition to the plans with an amendment which would impose a 50p tax rate on earnings over £150,000.
Mr Harris claims to have the support of a number of frontbench spokesman and says they can win the vote.