Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, has written to Grant Shapps, Conservative Party Chairman about his party’s opposition to a mansion tax and party donors:

Dear Grant,

The Conservative Party opposes the introduction of the mansion tax on homes worth more than over £2million - a fair and progressive policy which, under Labour’s proposals, would help to fund 20,000 new nurses, 8,000 more GPs, 5,000 new home care workers and 3,000 new midwives.

In contrast, your Government has given the top one per cent of earners a £3 billion tax break, worth an average of £100,000 for those earning over £1 million.

We know that David Cameron stands up solely for a privileged few and that, increasingly, your party relies on a small group of mega-rich donors to fund your campaigns. It has been reported that David Cameron previously said he rejected proposals for a mansion tax because “our donors will never put up with it”. The Tory Party has, moreover, reportedly solicited donations from wealthy donors based on a promise to oppose a mansion tax. This will unavoidably give rise to suspicion that your party’s policy on the mansion tax is influenced by those you are courting to fund your election campaign.

I am writing to ask that you prove this suspicion wrong and reverse your position on the mansion tax, and agree with Labour’s proposal for a tax on properties valued over £2million, which would rise in line with house prices, in order to invest in our cherished NHS which has been so damaged by your government.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Dugher MP

Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office and Vice Chair of the Labour Party