We want people to succeed ...and we want people to be protected in the hard times
Low-key high flier Dodds reveals plan to boost UK’s finances
THE wealthiest should pay higher taxes to help Britain recover from the coronavirus crisis, the Shadow Chancellor told the Mirror.
Anneliese Dodds said it is only right that those with the “broadest shoulders” make a bigger contribution.
And she warned that without an emergency Budget to boost national finances, the country faces job losses on a level not seen since the 1980s.
In an interview with the Mirror, the Shadow Chancellor pledged to rebuild the party’s economic reputation.
Ms Dodds, 42, insists that she is pro-business.
Her father was an accountant who “really cared” about his business and staff.
She said: “We’ve got to be really clear, particularly at a time like now, that Labour is on people’s side. We want people to succeed, we want to make sure people are protected as well, in a situation that has been so hard for so many.”
In the interview in Stevenage town centre, which she visited with Labour leader Keir Starmer, Ms Dodds backed the Mirror’s Shop for Britain campaign, urging people to support local firms.
She said: “You can feel a little bit of the buzz coming back here but where people can be shopping locally it makes such a difference because that means the value stays in our communities.”
She stressed she is prepared to take tough decisions when colleagues ask for spending commitments.
“We need to make sure that the money that people pay in
ANNELIESE Dodds is probably the most powerful person in the Labour Party you have never heard of.
The low-key Shadow Chancellor is 42 and, before becoming an MP in 2017, was an MEP and an academic, with a first at Oxford and PhD from the LSE.
She was brought up in Aberdeen but now lives in an ex-council house in her Oxford East constituency with partner Ed and their children, Freddie and Isabella.
She drew headlines after holding Isabella then four months old during a speech in the European Parliament.
Isabella, now four, also burst into the room during her first big TV interview as Shadow Chancellor, in April.
ANNALIESE DODDS SHADOW CHANCELLOR
Outdoor interview
taxes is properly spent. If I don’t think something is a good idea, I’ll certainly say.”
But Ms Dodds, who only became an MP in 2017, stood by some of Labour’s preelection policies. Asked
Picture: PHILIP COBURN
whether she still supported predecessor John McDonnell’s plan to raise taxes for the top 5% of earners, she said: “I certainly think we need a more progressive tax system.
“We do need to make sure that those who are making a contribution are those with the broadest shoulders.
“We’ve seen lots of cuts to taxation for the very best-off people. I think those who can make that bigger contribution should do.” The Oxford East
MP also suggested Labour may put up corporation tax, saying cuts had “not delivered” the additional investment promised and that small businesses are more concerned about business rates.
She suggested sticking to some of the controversial re-nationalisation pledge, saying it has become “increasingly evident” that the broadband system is not working.
Ms Dodds said the Government had been “slow with the
Work site temp test
With her husband Ed and children
With leader Keir Starmer
health response” to Covid-19 and fears it will be “slow with the economic response”.
She wants the furlough scheme, due to wind down from July, extended for sectors such as pubs and leisure.
There should be more support for those who had lost jobs, she added, and a national scheme to create new ones.
Tell us what you think: yourvoice@mirror.co.uk
We’ve seen so many different reviews which have shown there is inequality and what has changed? Very little.
There are big inequalities in the health and economic impact of this crisis.
People also felt that honouring individuals in the way a statue does was deeply offensive. I can understand that.
I’m concerned about no deal because businesses have been through such a difficult period. Another disruption would be very difficult.
The Government has promised it will get that deal, so we’re saying please make sure you do – business depends on it.
If they don’t, we’ll try to make sure business is not harmed further.
There seems to be a big gap when it comes to engagement in economic questions.
What’s critical to me is whether we have leadership that wants to represent women – a leader who is a feminist. I know Keir is.
Women get abuse on social media but it shouldn’t be a barrier to becoming engaged.
We’re having recordbreaking temperatures more often. Last year our heatwaves were linked to quite a large number of people dying.
There’s lots we can do to reduce carbon which will also create highly skilled jobs. We need to resolve the frustrations with wind farms and also change aviation in a planned way.
We’ve seen lots of cuts to taxation for the very best-off