The Flavour of the film: A Taxing Question

ALTER has worked with the Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ) all summer to bring you The Taxing Question of Land - a 30-minute film on U-tube, launched by RSA on 3rd September, all about LVT. A young film director, new to the subject, was given free rein (and £14k) to present the subject in a way that would appeal to young, intelligent people in the UK today.

Yoni Smith has done us proud. We hope you agree when you watch the film. You can do so at Glasgow this Sunday (1pm) if you are a Conference attendee. Or google for the U-tube at home.

Most striking are the range of figures - many of them previously not know to be supporters of LVT - who were prepared to go on camera to say why they are. Here is what some of them said - none being known Lib Dem supporters.

First a former Tory MP (Harrow West) Robert Hughes: "Land doesn't move, so LVT would get rid of the enormous industry that exists to try to help people avoid taxation..... It has got to be the key element of taxation, rather than consumption or income."

Next a Labour Member of the London Assembly, Mured Qureshi: "It would make a lot of sense in regions that have suffered decline: north-east or north-west."

The Green Party's economic adviser, Professor Molly Scott-Cato: "LVT goes alongside a planning system where local people have a say. It is suitable for a time of austerity. Its time has come."

Development consultant Jeremy Edge FRICS: "LVT encourages land to come forward for development. It is a very efficient driver for the use and allocation of land."

Director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), Paul Johnson: "It doesn't change peoples' behaviour and it reflects increases in land value which certainly owe nothing to what you do. That feels very fair and efficient."

Canon Chris Chivers: "It gets us back to how people interect with one another."

Film Director Carlo Nero: "All sorts of negative connotations get attached to it before its even had a chance to be looked at. Lets engage with the public."

With the help of these (and several other) bold and honest people, that is exactly what CEJ and ALTER are doing. Please spread the word and get thousands more watching the film.