Meeting of the Parliament 19 February 2015
Because of the three reasons that I outlined. First, the poll tax cost more to collect in many circumstances than could be collected. Secondly, the debt is mythical because many of the people never existed or no longer exist. Thirdly, there is the important point that I made that the small amount that was being paid was from people who had already paid many times over and, by definition, if it is new debt, it is caught by the 20-year rule on the poll tax. It is all of that and more. The poll tax was the most iniquitous tax of recent times. If I were the Conservative Party, I would be trying to forget it, not trying to make everyone remember it.
I notice that Mr Brown did not take the opportunity to deny that the Conservative Party might have an outstanding debt to the Police Service of Scotland. If that is not the case, I am sure that he will want to explain to the Parliament why that bill does not seem to have been paid. However, I would never draw the conclusion that Mr Brown or his colleagues should not be allowed to vote in the Parliament because of it.
Democracy is precious. We have 98 per cent registration on the voters register and we had an 85 per cent turnout in the referendum. That is much more precious than any of the normal political arguments that take place in the chamber. We should defend it at every available opportunity because that is embracing a huge democratic experience.
If I have one criticism, it is not of the minister but of myself as First Minister: I should have introduced the bill years ago. I wish that I had. Now that we have, let us put it through and bury that iniquitous tax for good.
16:37