The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
May stresses importance of election – and drops tax hint
Politics: Prime minister guards against complacency in message to supporters
Voters will go to the polls on June 8 in the most important general election Britain has faced in 60 years, Theresa May insisted as she took the campaign to Labour’s Welsh heartlands.
The prime minister was “not complacent” about the outcome of the poll as she told supporters “every single vote will count”.
She left the door open to tax breaks for workers that would be viewed as a pitch to win over Labour voters in areas such as Wales.
During a visit to Bridgend, she said: “A vote for any other party would be a vote for a weak and failing Jeremy Corbyn propped up by a coalition of chaos which would risk our national future.”
Tories have so far refused to repeat the party’s 2015 manifesto pledge not to put up income tax, VAT or national insurance and chancellor Philip Hammond has hinted it could be ditched. But the party is reportedly considering a tax “sweetener” for working people.
Asked about the claims, Mrs May replied: “There’s a choice between a Conservative Party which always has been, is and will always be a party that believes in lower taxes.” She added: “The choice is between that and a Labour Party whose natural instinct is always to put up taxes.”
The visit to Wales comes after polling suggested the Labour Party faces a general election meltdown there while the Tories are on course to win the majority of parliamentary seats for the first time in modern history.
Meanwhile Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron yesterday declared gay sex is not a sin – after days of pressure to clarify his stance on the issue.
He made clear he supported equal marriage and LGBT rights, but in an interview last week did not say whether it was a sin. A day later in the House of Commons, after coming under fire from celebrities and fellow politicians, he said he did not think being gay was a sin.