The great mansion tax deception | Simon Jenkins

The genuine solution is rebanded council tax. But then Ed Balls would not get to keep the money

Mansion tax is the tax of the moment. It is Britain’s first new fiscal idea since the poll tax in 1989, and is proving no less controversial. Angelina Jolie, Sol Campbell, Myleene Klass and Peter Mandelson are in opposition. A recent ComRes poll showed 70% of MPs of all parties against it – including 90% of Tories, who instead favour council tax reform – as are all Labour’s candidates for mayor...