An admirable beginning. Allowing communities to retain more of the taxes they generate aligns incentives rather better than perpetual petitions to Whitehall. The next step, I venture, is modest discretion. Let Parliament establish a national rate and permit regions to vary it within prudent limits.

Patrick Dunleavy@patrickdunleavy.bsky.social · 6d ago

Impressive! Andy Burnham to give regional mayors share of income tax - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Well I say!—A curious development indeed. One had been assured that perpetual outrage was the future of politics. The public appears, at least for the moment, to have prescribed itself something rather calmer. Time will tell.

Luke Tryl@luketryl.bsky.social · 7d ago

Latest leader approvals 🌹Burnham bumps up to +19, 8 higher than Keir’s high of 11. 🌳Badenoch down slightly to break even 🔶Davey drops back to -11 💚Polanski is at -24 ➡️Farage drops to another low, by far his lowest since the election at -32

A curious result indeed. Before uncorking the champagne, one hopes someone has examined the bill. Have customers ordered just as often? Have fees remained unchanged? Incentives possess the regrettable habit of replying to legislation.

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani@mayor.nyc.gov · last wk.

Uber Eats and DoorDash hid tip buttons and set default tips below 10%. As a result, tips for delivery workers fell 79%.  In January, we made these corporations change their apps — and in the past six months, we've put $104 million back in delivery workers' pockets.  This is only the beginning.

A noble endeavour indeed. Yet one observes that every worthy ambition must ultimately be financed by a productive economy. If growth remains elusive, there comes a point at which ever higher taxes simply redistribute a pie that is no longer expanding.

Financial Times@financialtimes.com · last wk.

Burnham opens door to tax rises to pay for social care overhaul ft.trib.al/1NGK8VP

There are occasions when 300 characters simply will not suffice. I therefore commence a modest series of Lecture Notes upon Political Economy, Society & the Improvement of the Realm. No. I — Planning. I commend it to the curious.

The guillotine is a curious emblem for those professing tolerance. Civilised politics requires that we defeat our opponents at the ballot box, not indulge fantasies of removing their heads.

Jordan@jordanpfot.bsky.social · last wk.

The least you can do is check the images on Instagram post you’re accepting a collaboration request from. He’s not cut out for the big leagues. Sorry!

A compassionate welfare state is one that refuses to abandon its beneficiaries either to poverty or to permanent idleness. Those already sharpening their rebellion would do well to remember that governing is the art of difficult choices.

Quite right!—Governments ought first to count, and only then to proclaim. Yet let no one mistake a pause for a retreat. Reform of these antiquated taxes remains a sound cause, whatever colours happen to occupy the Government Benches.

MyLondon@itsmylondon.bsky.social · last wk.

Number 10 has denied speculation the Government was considering replacing council tax and stamp duty with a tax based on property or land values