[heilyprollecyspor]

VAT as it is known in Britain was introduced as a progressive tax- a tax on luxuries. By extending it to nearly all sales goods its end results became regressive- anyone living hand to mouth gets shafted, while the old money who can lock estate up for generations can simply wait for a more favourable tax regime.

Now this is an actual valid objection....

On the other hand, it's more difficult to shift consumption than, eg to shift the realization of capital gains