Cameron messed up because his marriage tax breaks are fundamentally unfair - Alexander

10.35.01am GMT Fri 8th Jan 2010

Danny Alexander MP

Commenting on David Cameron's admission that he 'messed up' over his plans for a marriage tax break, Nick Clegg's Chief of Staff, Danny Alexander said:

"David Cameron didn't just mess up because he blundered in an interview, he messed up because his policy is incoherent and fundamentally unfair.

"It is unfair because it gives tax breaks to married couples where one person can afford to stay at home, but does nothing for couples who both work.

"It is unfair because a family that loses one parent will have their tragedy compounded by an effective tax rise.

"And it is unfair because ultimately it takes money from the pockets of poorer families and gives it to rich ones.

"When the country is mired in recession and public finances are in a dire state, this is a mess that we cannot afford.

"Labour has failed to deliver fairness and the Tories can't be trusted to make the country fairer. Only the Liberal Democrats will build a fairer Britain."