Apart from it being a matter of attitude, it is also a matter of language, and terms like “tax burden” and “stealth tax” are a fair indication of a mind already made up.

I’m not sure what a stealth tax is exactly but I am sure it is not council tax which is extremely visible.

During the 80s we had one of the largest rises in tax – when VAT went up to 17.5% and was added to energy bills. Not only was this large but it was disproportionately aimed at those on lower wages.

As for council tax, maybe one reason I am happy with it from a personal financial perspective is because it is so unfair, with me paying exactly the same as a hypothetical neighbour earning half of what I do.

Whether or not income tax has increased (which I don’t think it has) it is the case that for many people there has been a huge increase in wealth, which has been completely untaxed.

Not to mention that wages have gone up, which means that people are getting higher incomes overall, often with a much better take home result now than before (especially at the lower end of incomes).

VAT was reduced for utilities, and Corporation Tax was cut, which are both fairly major ‘indirect taxes’.

Even so, it’s not a question of how much to take, it’s a question of what services do people want, and how are they provided.

Of course, we could also note the huge PSBR pre 1997, the running out of North Sea Oil profits and the tax cuts of the Tories which benefitted the rich while running down services, not least of which was the police force.

As for Income tax falling well I can only assume your havin’ a laugh. The ONS last year said that taxes on income are now absorbing £23.60 of every £100 earned. This tax level is before other indirect and “stealth” taxes, such as council tax and stamp duty, are taken into account.

The figure shows how the amount taken by the Government has been ratcheted up since 1997. When Labour came to power, the level of taxes on income was at a low of 18.7 per cent.

Anyway – even the most committed party member must admit that the tax burden is at its highest level since the mid-80′s and still rising – how much more money do you want to take off us?

As it is, Income Tax has fallen since 1997. VAT was reduced on fuel bills. Tax relief to working families has increased.

In return, those families have seen new schools built in Crawley – and nationwide – improving the accomodation (did you have to take classes in portakabins, because I did in the 1980s?) and facilities.

“Given all the benefits that even a light user of local services like me gets, should I worry about whether a £1350 bill is closer to £1355?”

But it isn’t just a the odd fiver – your memory seems a bit suspect if you can forget that council Tax has doubled since Labour came to power.

The continual increase in tax demand by the government, for very little return, is a worry to most working familes – unless they are members of the Labour Party perhaps?