Politicians should fear the families who have been hit where it hurts

YOU have to hand it to Pat Rabbitte. Last weekend’s Labour Party conference looked set to be a run-of-the-mill affair until Pat literally pulled a rabbit out of the hat by promising to cut the standard rate of tax by 2%.

The move was startling because it was so unexpected, especially from a veteran hard left politician.

Note, however, there was no indication what he might do with the top tax rate or with corporation taxes to make up the shortfall for the exchequer.