There’s talk this morning of the intelligence budget taking a cut in tomorrow’s spending review announcement, but what about the legislation that the spooks say they really need to do their jobs properly? The row about the Communications Data Bill has calmed a little in the past week or so, but that’s not to say that those pushing the proposals have given up.
I understand that though the bill’s Conservative proponents accept that Nick Clegg really will not be moved, they don’t think this is the end of the road for the legislation in this Parliament. Instead, figures close to the talks are mulling introducing it after the 2014 Budget. Why then? ‘It’s the last chance the Lib Dems would have to introduce a mansion tax that would come in for this Parliament,’ explains one source. If the Tories force in a bill by some clever means (which are not entirely clear, given the Lib Dems still need to sign off on government bills), the dire threats about mansion tax and 50p tax votes as revenge will be hollow as they will have no effect before the 2015 election once the March Budget is out of the way.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in