The Tartan Tax is what we call the tax that the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties would impose on Scotland through their Scottish parliament. Their blueprint for that parliament states quite clearly that a Scottish parliament would be able to vary the rate of income tax in Scotland by up to three pence in the pound. As sure as night follows day, that would mean higher tax for our friends in Scotland, and we can't have that!

Labour say that this is only a "power" which might never be used. How can you say that it will definitely be imposed?

We need look no further than comments from the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, and their profligate record in local government, to see the certainty of the Tartan Tax under a Scottish parliament. We've far better things to do with it than spend it on good quality public services.

The Liberal Democrats have already earmarked the first penny of the Tartan Tax to spend more money on education, and the senior Labour spokesman, John McAllion, has said that a Scottish parliament would have to raise more taxation to undo the damage we've done.

The only certain way for Scotland not to have higher tax is to abandon the Tartan Tax, and turn the Scottish Parliament into a powerless shell.

Why is it not possible for a Scottish parliament to cut Tartan Tax?

It is inconceivable that such a parliament would be able to cut income tax. Scotland enjoys far higher levels of public spending than England, largely funded through the 'Block Grant' reluctantly given to the Scottish Office by the Treasury. If a Scottish parliament were to cut taxes, that would mean that people in England were paying higher tax to subsidise a lower rate of tax in Scotland. English MPs would never allow that, and, as a result, we'd make sure Scotland would receive a much smaller 'Block Grant'.

Why would a Tartan Tax be so bad for Scotland?

• It would penalise Scots earning the low wages our employment and industrial policies have brought about - the Tartan Tax is a regressive tax like most of the others we've introduced, as taxpayers on a lower income would face a higher % increase than those on higher earnings, as has happened with most of our previous tax changes. You don't want more of the same, do you?

• Having different rates of income tax for different people would cause huge problems for the privatised tax system. They'd have to do more work.

• It would make Scotland the highest taxed part of the United Kingdom - thereby making Scotland a less attractive location for inward investors, now that we've managed to destroy most of your indigenous industries.

• It would threaten Scotland's financial industry, leaving them less to donate to us, and people's savings - the Tartan Tax would be imposed on people's savings thereby penalising people who rely on savings income for their livelihood and placing Scotland's financial institutions at a huge competitive disadvantage over London. Mind you, maybe that's not a bad idea!

• It would create inflationary pressures as workers seek higher salaries to counter the effects of their higher tax bills. Salaried people are very greedy. Look at the directors of the privatised utilities!

• This nonsense was written by 'Rubbish'R'Us' - The Essex Group.