There was criticism of this proposal not only from the media but amongst members.

Following further debate however I am pleased to hear that this week Vince Cable and our Treasury team has reviewed and revived this proposal.

This is only part of Liberal Democrat proposals for a fairer tax system for this country. Our party's new tax plans will see tax cuts for millions of people, paid for by closing tax loopholes, making polluters pay and introducing a 'mansion tax' on homes worth over £2m. It is the intention that no tax will be paid on earnings of less than £10.000. That would put £700 back in the pockets of the vast majority of tax payers and take millions of people on low pay out of paying income tax altogether.

Compare this with the tax regime Gordon Brown has created. That forces some of the lowest earners in society to pay hundreds of pounds in tax they can't afford, while polluters and rich tax dodgers avoid paying their fair share.  

If you want change it is no good looking to the Conservatives. They want tax cuts for millionaires, but say there might be tax rises for everyone else.

Our radical tax plans embody everything the Liberal Democrats stand for: fairness, protecting the environment and rewarding hard work.

I challenge anyone to disagree that, particularly in the current economic climate, it is right to ask those with the broadest shoulders to bear a little more of the burden so that millions of people on normal earnings get the break they desperately need.