'Dithering' over 10p tax cost Labour - MP Brian

2:02pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has been guilty of dithering over income tax policy, one Bolton MP has admitted.

Bolton South-east MP Dr Brian Iddon accepted Mr Brown's decision to scrap the 10p tax rate and his subsequent lack of clarity on extra support for low-income earners had cost Labour dearly in the local elections.

But he also defended the Prime Minister, saying his policies were right and that he should be given time to win voters over.

Dr Iddon said: "Gordon Brown's been dithering on the 10p tax rate and I think he's given the public the general view now that he's indecisive.

"The Prime Minister realises his errors and has told the Parliamentary Labour Party that he's going to improve."

But he insisted Mr Brown should not resign.

"First of all it would be foolish politically. Let's not forget that he was regarded before recent events as the best chancellor Britain's ever had.

"Give him a chance, I say.

"We've only had him in just under a year. And the policies overall are right - 55 per cent of British people benefited from the budget."

He said Mr Brown's style contrasted with the young and charismatic but "shallow" Conservative leader David Cameron.