The Tory party brought us the poll tax, where the very rich and even the moderately wealthy had their rates (property taxes) radically reduced and the offset in lost funds were paid by the vast majority of poorer people.

Now Labour, whose ideas to improve food standards ARE GOOD are bringing us the 'nosh tax'.

Every food retailer must pay a tax of 90 pounds ($150) per annum towards the funds to push cash into the setup and running of the new agency.

This means that a supermarket store with 1000's upon 1000's of potentially infected bits of fish, meat, cheese or vegetables pays 90 pounds and the corenr shop with 100 tins of food to chose from pays 90 pounds!

This is ludicrous.

The big supermarket chains and 'specialty' food shops get subsidised by the smaller retailer who struggles to provide a needed service in community.

Nick Brown , Labours Agriculture Minister said this was fair : "Because the level of risk would be the same."

Labour said a flat-rate levy was the "most efficient and cost-effective" method of raising money to fund the agency. Grading it according to turnover, floorspace or number of staff "would add considerably to the complexity of the scheme and the administrative burden".

How Tory of Nu Labour....