Chapter FiveTwo days after the Prime Minister’s first Commons report, a powerful article denouncing any proposal of ‘an outdated and dangerous land levy’ was published by a leading daily ‘heavy’. Shaw had expected it the following day, but maybe that was being too cynical. The author, a leading professor of economics was a regular adviser to the Treasury and, as such, a frequent guest at the Chancellor’s table. The professor’s views would carry weight, and they were correct – but only if a substantial measure of the tax were instantly applied. No one was advocating anything so draconian and this was where the article was so frustratingly irresponsible.
That evening when he’d discussed rent-collection with the Captain over supper, he had been convinced of the efficacy of the measure. It wa
