THE Bishop of Worcester has launched a broadside against political parties that try to "outbid" each other on tax pledges without considering their impact on society.
The Rt Rev Peter Selby told the House of Lords that politicians should not lose sight of the spiritual issues surrounding taxation.
"The way in which we regulate our economic affairs has a great effect on who we are as person," he said.
Values
"The way in which our public finances are regulated reflects clearly and affects our social consciousness and the values of our society."
Bishop Selby said the debate surrounding taxation should not be determined by quantity alone, but also by the issue of how taxation is raised and spent.
"Taxation is about our public values and how we display them in the way we spend our money.
"I believe that our fellow citizens are somewhat cynical about finding themselves living, in effect, in an auction chamber in which they are subjected to the spectacle of political parties deciding how much they would pay or for how much their support can be acquired."
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