Well it’s Day 1 of the 2010 election and ‘they’re off and running’ as they say.

It seems that this could be the first election since 1997 when your vote really might count for something as the result really does appear to be hanging in the balance and there’s talk that there might a hung Parliament – now there’s a picture a lot of people would probably like to see.

To continue the betting analogy I suppose one could say that it’s 50:50.

Talking of 50:50, coincidentally the 50% tax band comes into force today – a measure that is either going to make you vote:

• For the government – ‘Right on; they’re earning lots, let’s tax them lots.’
• Or against the government – ‘I’ve worked hard for this money and I deserve to keep it.’
• Or possibly – ‘I’ve earned a lot and it’s only fair that I pay more.’

There’s that word again: ‘fair’; the holy grail of the tax system.

I see that Labour want ‘fairness’: ‘A future fair for all!’ (I bags first go on the dodgems and a candy floss.)

The Conservatives want change’: ‘Vote for change!’ (Pound coins only here please, that copper plays havoc with your trouser pockets.)

The LibDems want both: ‘Change that works for you, building a fairer Britain!’ (OK, give us a quid each and we can both have a go on the dodgems.)

‘Dodgems’. Hmmm; unlike ‘fair’ that is a word that might have a tax connection now I think of it.

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