Writing in the East Lothian News, local supporter Tim Hunt highlights that the SNP are again being economic with the truth. This time about the Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBBT).
"During a fringe event of the recent SNP Conference, John Swinney, the SNP Finance Minister said '...yes, the introduction of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBBT) was controversial and, yes, it led to ruffles in the marketplace, but the United Kingdom Government followed the same reforms several months later.
"Once again the SNP is being economic with the truth. The facts are that since the introduction of LBBT in April this year, sales of houses, particularly in East Lothian, have fallen dramatically and, based on the first three months, a £50 million hole in the Scottish Government's finances is expected. Also, the LBBT rates in Scotland are higher than the rates of Stamp Duty elsewhere in the UK.
"What is so disturbing about Swinney's remarks is not only are they misleading but he has also indicated that when he gets full control of income tax in 2017 he plans to use the same 'principles' that he applied to LBBT.
"In other words, middle-class families are set to be taxed more heavily than they are now."