Letter: Most of us want higher taxes

Henry Porter says that it is axiomatic that the majority of the electorate will not tolerate a programme of increased taxation and spending (20 April). In fact, the majority not only support such a programme, but actually voted for it in 1983, 1987 and 1992. Unfortunately, their votes were split between two parties.

Most of those who oppose such a programme would benefit from it long- term. A Labour Party which had maintained its vision of a fair society would have spent the last 18 years educating people to that effect, not adjusting policy to suit the uninformed prejudices of focus groups.

John Stagg

Rotherfield, East Sussex