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The St Ives MP Andrew George has reservations about increasing VAT from 17.5% to 20% because he correctly interprets analysis from a host of think-tanks that it will impact disproportionately and unfairly on the low-waged economy of Cornwall. But that didn't stop him from voting in favour of the increase on Tuesday evening, despite having tabled an ammendment to the Finance Bill which would have inserted an impact assessment before the VAT increase could go ahead.

Andrew says he wanted to give a "fair wind" to the government on VAT. Well, two Liberal Democrat MPs, Bob Russell and Mike Hancock, found their way into the Opposition lobby and did vote against the increase. Does Andrew think these Lib Dems were being unfair?