Yes Prime Minister on Tax Cuts
This Yes, Prime Minister episode sums up Michael Cullen’s position on tax cuts perfectly. Just substitute Dr Cullen for where it says Treasury.
Hacker: Why is the Chancellor opposed to tax cuts.
Sir Humphrey: Because he is advised by the Treasury and the Treasury don’t believe in giving money back.
Hacker: It’s not theirs, its the taxpayers.
Sir Humphrey: That is one view, it is not the view of the Treasury once they’ve got their hands on it.
Hacker: But if they don’t need it.
Sir Humphrey: Taxation isn’t about what you need.
Hacker: What is it about?
Sir Humphrey: Prime Minister, the Treasury does not work out what they need to spend, and then think how to raise the money.
Hacker: What do they do?
Sir Humphrey: They pitch for as much as they think they can get away with and then think how to spend it. If you start giving money back because you don’t need it, you’re breaking with centuries of tradition.
Even 25 years on, it is still so true. Dr Cullen does see it as his money, not our money.