IF

the rich didn’t ‘grumble’ about how much tax they pay, government policy would be wrong, opines Philip Hammond. The Mail could understand if Marxist John McDonnell, determined to impose economy-wrecking punitive rates, had spouted such nonsense. But what a curious thing for a Tory chancellor to say. Shouldn’t Mr Hammond celebrate the virtues of a low-tax state, rewarding initiative and hard work – the very foundations of Conservativism? History teaches us high taxes are counter-productive – ultimately yielding lower returns. Perhaps he should re-read his economics textbook!