Guardian Policies Q&A

Zac took part in an interview for The Guardian called, 'The New Tories' 

1. Perception: Do you consider yourself to be a progressive?

"Progressives tend to be associated with democracy, reining in the political influence of big business, social justice, environmentalism. I'd like to see more of all these things, and in that sense am a progressive. But essentially I am a conservative who believes in decentralisation, the human scale, light government and trust. I believe a move towards direct democracy would bridge the gap between people and politics, and would result in a much more receptive decision-making process. "

2. Tax: Should David Cameron offer more tax cuts than he has outlined already?

"Yes. There's a mantra that cutting tax means cutting services. I think people are less inclined to believe that after 10 years of Labour. Without knowing what the state of our finances will be at the time of the next election, it's impossible to make detailed promises. But by cutting government waste, and dramatically, we could be sure of enormous savings."

3 Tax: If yes to the above, do you think they should be funded by
(a) cuts in public spending, or
(b) increases in other taxes?

"There is a startling lack of delivery on government promises, not because of political dishonesty, but because the machinery of government itself is broken. There are too many people doing the same thing, and too little accountability. Hundreds of quangos occupy the same policy spaces, and the effect is a kind of paralysis. Good ideas are important for a government-in-waiting, but without brave structural reform, they will come to nothing. By streamlining government, making it work, I believe we'd see better results and huge savings for the taxpayer. That is the first priority."

4. Tax: Should so-called "green" taxes increase?

"Yes, but green taxes need to be totally transparent and honest, and they should never be retrospective. There's no point introducing punishments for choices already made. And where green taxes are raised, for example on the dirtiest new cars, the proceeds need to be used to reduce the cost of the cleanest cars. Green taxes must never become an excuse to raise revenue for the Treasury."

5. Tax: As a share of GDP tax is currently around 37%. After four years of a Conservative government would you expect it to be:
(a) substantially lower – at least 2 percentage points
(b) slightly lower
(c) much the same as it is now
(d) higher

"I would hope the tax system would be simpler, and that the share of GDP tax would decline, but that very much depends on the state of the country's finances after 10 years of Labour."

6. Europe: On balance has Britain lost out or gained from its membership of the EU? If it has lost out, should it withdraw?

"The EU provides a useful mechanism for working together on issues of common importance, not least the environment. But the organisation is structurally flawed and needs dramatic reform without which it's hard to see it either contributing usefully, or even surviving. The EU is far too bureaucratic, too grasping, and too wasteful. But the biggest problem with the EU is its lack of accountability. When the distance between people and power is too great, the former have little if any control over the latter. In the case of the EU, decision-makers are almost entirely insulated from any real democratic pressure, and that's always profoundly unhealthy. I would favour a lighter, more decentralised EU that learns the difference between national and genuinely international issues."

7. Family: Which of the following statements most reflects your view?
(a) The tax system should be reformed to recognise and promote marriage
(b) The tax system should help parents regardless of their marital status

"It's wrong that the current benefits system gives couples with children more money if they live apart. That's perverse, and needs to be changed. But it's often single parents who need most support, and they mustn't be left stranded."

8. Abortion: The House of Commons recently voted to maintain the upper limit of 24 weeks on abortion. Do you believe it should be reduced? If yes, by how many weeks?

"20 weeks is more than enough time for people to make a decision in favour of abortion. However, if after that time, serious medical problems are detected, that option should remain open throughout."

Interview by Alexandra Topping

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