Does the cabinet secretary recognise that there is no inherent, popular public support for that dangerous policy? If there were, surely the former junior partners in the previous coalition would be standing where he is standing, instead of withering on the vine and contemplating some judicious summer pruning. Does he recall that last week, in response to a question from Annabel Goldie, the First Minister said merely that he saw a "difficulty" with our proposal to give pensioner households a 50 per cent council tax rebate? A difficulty is not an objection in principle. Surely he will not let a little difficulty stand in the way. Will he commit now to work with the Conservatives to secure that vital relief for Scotland's pensioners, whatever the torrid fate of his local income tax plans?