Vince Cable plays down 'wacky' tax proposals While some party members are believed to support an extension to the mansion tax in response to anger in constituencies where second-home buyers force up prices, others are understood to have concerns that the move could see some people taxed twice, as landlords already pay tax on any rent they receive. Mr Cable expressed scepticism at the opposition's actions, saying: "I think the Labour Party is playing political games but I'm nonetheless pleased they're endorsing it. It's up to them to be statesmanlike and sensible in how they approach it. Meanwhile Chris Leslie, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury, told Sky News the Labour party would not cut the 50p top rate of tax to 45p if it was in power, but resisted any commitment to reverse the tax cut in the party's 2015 manifesto. "[Putting the top rate of tax back up] is our intention it's certainly what we would want to do but we would have to make sure we write our manifesto in light of the circumstances at the time," he said.