Eric Forth Poll Tax Flashcards
What did forth say was his opinion on the poll tax?
‘I was very much in favour of it’
What did forth say was at the heart of the issue with poll tax?
The key thing was the level of charge… as soon as you move away from a level which is perceived to be fair, equitable and reasonable, then all the other considerations come in to effect
When did forth believe that the poll tax was doomed
As soon as the system moved as rapidly as it did from the £120-£150 level, it was probably doomed because all the other things fell like dominos
How did forth propose they fix the issues with people not registering or paying for the poll tax
Tie it to the electoral register, ‘if you have a say, you pick up your share of the tab’ ‘no pay, no vote. No vote, no pay. Very simple’
Why did forth believe the poll tax was abandoned
‘Political funk and hysteria, which is not uncommon phenomena’
What did Eric forth believe about thatcher and the poll tax?
It coincided with the undercurrent running against Mrs T, so people saw that they might need to get rid of it.
How did Forth link the £140 and Thatcher?
‘Had she been unchallengeable, then the £140 would have come off. We’d have reduced it, we’d have massaged it, we’d have brought it down, and we’d have got away with it, seen it through, and we’d still have had it and her, and gone on to win the election afterwards.’
What did forth believe about the PCP and the poll tax?
The PCP wanted it removed because they were running scared, but they were not reflecting the silent majority.
What did Eric forth say about breaking the law changing the law?
It was not unusual, it had happened before with Sunday trading and the age of consent. To think otherwise was wishful thinking
Why did forth say the 2 and a half % VAT was not enough to save the poll tax?
It was not done quickly enough, the policy was already finished and dead
When did Forth say the poll tax all went wrong?
The year between the initial projections and the first bills
What blame does Forth take on for the failure of the Poll tax?
They weren’t being vocal enough about their support and the ways they could fix the policy, to say it was all thatchers fault ‘will not wash’
What final lessons did Forth take from the failure of the poll tax?
Policies should be better; and tested. They should not be devised over quickly
