5 Quotes That Make Cameron And Osborne Sound Like Harriet Harman On Tax

Here's 5 Ways You Can Make These Two Sound Like Harman On Tax

The Tories are very excited after Prime Minister's Questions, as David Cameron tried to sink Ed Miliband with a quote from Harriet Harman suggesting that Labour would raise taxes for middle earners.

Cameron seized on Harman's remarks on the radio, with Labour's deputy leader quoted as saying: "I think people on middle incomes should contribute more through their taxes."

Labour have hit back accusing Cameron of "lying" and being "deeply dishonest' about what Harman meant, insisting that she was defending the principle of middle earners paying more than lower earners in a progressive tax system.

The dispute centres over whether Harman's comments were taken out of context. Explaining to a caller on LBC radio why the richer should pay more in tax, Harman said: "I think that actually the idea that there are some things that help people on low incomes and other that help people on middle incomes. Yes, I think people on middle incomes should contribute more through their taxes. But actually they need those public services like the transport system."

The principle of progressive taxation, of course, is backed by all major parties including the Conservatives, although Chancellor George Osborne admittedly flirted with a flat tax in opposition. The idea of people with more money paying more tax is not an especially radical or controversial one - despite the Prime Minister's insinuation in the Commons.

In the interests of balance, here are five equally out of context quotes from Cameron and Osborne which could be used to suggest that they want to hike taxes on the middle classes a la Harman.

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