Calls from ALTER for taxation of property owners who are registered for tax outside the UK have resonated with our leader who called for "Fierce tax on overseas residents buying British property". Sir Vince Cable vistited the ALTER stand during the Bournmouth conference, here pictured with Chairman Joe Bourke and Secretary David Cooper.

If after 30 minutes you're not moved by this, check you still have a pulse

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Henry George (September 2, 1839 - October 29, 1897) was an American political economist and journalist. His writing was immensely popular in the 19th century, and sparked several reform movements of the Progressive Era. His writings also inspired the economic philosophy known as Georgism, based on the belief that people should own the value they produce themselves, but that the economic value derived from land should belong equally to all members of society.

ALTER is supportive of universal income, but recognizes the danger that any such money would be captured by increased rents. Universal Income cannot work without a mechanism to recapture the economic rent from land owership. A new spin on this idea, "Basic Rental Income", is described in a recent Libdem Voice article by our chairman Joe Bourke.

Dr Tony Vickers reviews a new book by Josh Ryan-Collns, Toby Lloyd and Laurie Macfarlane, "Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing" . This is an indictment of wastful austerity policies amd throws a spotlight on the Conservative strategy of socialism for the rich, ruthess capitalism for the poor. Vickers summarizes his review with the strong recommendation "This book is not by Liberal Democrats but it ought to be read by every Lib Dem campaigner." It highlights how in the last quarter century, the share of total bank lending to real estate has almost doubled to nearly 50% while the share lending to companies that create real new wealth has shrunk to a mere 15%. The post-crash quantitative easing by the Bank of England exacerbated this: six pounds out of every seven has gone into reflating the property bubble via bank lending.

Joe Bourke, Chairman of ALTER, has called for an all party group on Land Taxation in a recent Libdemvoice article. Could this by the answer to the Maybot's prayer for constructive policy suggestions from other political parties? There is some support for LVT within the Conservatives. After all Nick Boles (former conservative minister for planning) has suggested such a tax, and Tim Montgomorie, of Conservative Home fame, has also expressed support. However tt is hard to imagine such a policty appealing to Teresa May, the epitome of conservative (with a small "c") mediocrity.

Our Chairman Joe Bourke summarizes the views of progressive parties on Land Value Taxation in a recent articile in Libdem Voice... see article.

In a recent article in Libdem Voice, ALTER secretary David Cooper summarizes the newly developed "Property Uplift Recovery Tax" proposal from ALTER. A more complete description can be found here.

A record number of new members attended the Spring Conference in York, and ALTER's fringe was packed. Vice Chair Tony Vickers spoke about the housing crisis, and secretary David Cooper unveiled a proposed tax (provisionally called the " Property Uplift Recovery Tax") on overseas investors in the UK housing market.

ALTER member and former Parliamentarian Michael Meadowcroft makes a cogent point in last week's Observer….

A Better Business Rate Formula, the Observer, 26.02.17

One of the key problems with the current basis for business rates (''Small Shops recoil in the face of rates that will more than double", Business, last week), is that the valuations are based on rental values. Thus a business that improves its premises and contributes towards the success of the area increases the rental value and therefore brings more expense, whereas a business that neglects its premises and is a factor in the decline·of the area decreases its costs. It is just the opposite of what should be the case.

To get our message across ALTER has run a stand for the second South Central Conference in a row. Tony Vickers and David Cooper manned the stand, and there was considerable interest from some delegates. As a result a number of new ALTER members were recruited.