Ming's speech: A great start

Ming's speech this afternoon is a great start to his leadership. It is a very solid, coherent speech covering the main policy areas. As one would expect, he demonstrates his much-reported gravitas, his liberal heart and leadership skill. The fact that Tony Blair has come out with vituperative crticism of Ming, even before the speech is delivered, is a sign that the speech is bang on target. I am delighted about the headline-grabbing 2p reduction in the basic rate of income tax plus taking three million of the lower paid and pensioners out of income tax payment altogether. I am particularly cock-a-hoop that this is being deftly done by, at long last, delivering on our policy to tax polluters. I am very proud of our team for producing this top level tax strategy.