Labour

[ZedLeg]

I just object to seeing individuals and firms being able legally to avoid paying their due.

Crazy talk, multinationals not paying their taxes is good for the country because they bring loads of shit paying jobs that the government has to subsidise while moving huge amounts of money offshore or something

[PreacherCain]

I just object to seeing individuals and firms being able legally to avoid paying their due.

Crazy talk, multinationals not paying their taxes is good for the country because they bring loads of shit paying jobs that the government has to subsidise while moving huge amounts of money offshore or something

Stupid me, I'd forgotten that.

I get that none of this is illegal. And that nobody in their right mind writes cheques to HMRC over and above their actual exposure. So the quarrel I have isn't really with the tax structuring whizzkids who help these firms navigate the holes in the tax code: give an amoral entity like a corporation or a trust fund the opportunity to act in its own interest, and it will do so.

My quarrel is with the cunts, shits, wankers and pricks in Parliament who allow the holes to proliferate. No point browbeating people to pay tax they can legally avoid. So: (1) limit the avoidance opportunities; (2) simplify the tax code so its administration is simpler and hence cheaper; and (3) use the resources saved from step 2 to fund the vigorous and persistent pursuit of those who operate outside the new code.

Rev is right - I should be running this country.

[Gavin]

There is a theory that Brexit or at least the vote on it was triggered to avoid new EU tax avoidance legislation coming in.

[DaveE]

There is a theory that Brexit or at least the vote on it was triggered to avoid new EU tax avoidance legislation coming in.

Do you have more information/links etc about that?

[JLv3.0]

I'll go out on a limb here and say that he doesn't, not from any credible source anyway.

Can we just admit Brexit was a bit of population-vote-bait gone wrong, and move past it?

[ZedLeg]

I had a quick look and there were a couple of blog articles suggesting it as a theory but nothing particularly compelling.

There was a lot of money behind the brexit campaign but you could say the same for the remain campaign.

There are a few people connected to the cabinet that appear to be making quite a lot of money off the whole thing as well, Jacob Rees Mogg and Theresa May's husband have both been mentioned.

Ultimately it might not be bollocks but in amongst the quagmire of shit that is brexit it's almost inconsequential.

[Richard]

There are a few people connected to the cabinet that appear to be making quite a lot of money off the whole thing as well, Jacob Rees Mogg and Theresa May's husband have both been mentioned.

I wonder if that’s more of an insider trading type situation though?

[Gavin]

There is a theory that Brexit or at least the vote on it was triggered to avoid new EU tax avoidance legislation coming in.

Do you have more information/links etc about that?

Nope, nor am I suggesting there is truth to it but given how self serving most politicians seem to be frankly, nothing would surprise me.

I am more inclined to believe that nobody would ever believe the Gove/Farage/Johnson triumvirate of cock!

[sec]

I saw Jezza on Marr yesterday morning. What an absolute vanilla character. Has he any passion about anything?

Seems the press are at least on board ripping them to bits.

I'm all for TM being replaced but at least she's in the real world.

He's passionate about Palestine. And terrorism- sorry, freedom fighting. And Hamas- again, sorry, hummus. And of course, socialism.

So you see, he has passion. He just reserves it for rallies, rather than interviews.

[IanF]

I’ve been looking at the Time party. It’s a Federalist Party that has stated its a centralist party. Flat rate tax, tax applied to Multinationals at our tax rate on their UK sales, free education inc tertiary level, no IHT (due getting rid of double taxation), free NHS for UK citizens, but everyone else needs insurance etc. Also seems to be promoting an Anglo Free Trade Zone (UK, USA, Canada, Australia & New Zealand) and a Commonwealth Free Trade Zone. Actually has some percentages on their website, but no idea if it’s been costed - it’d be optimistic to assume so. Only has about 4 members though..

I think we’re about to become a true multi-party nation. These small parties will end up combining with others and rule without an absolute majority. Hasn’t worked elsewhere in Europe, and probably won’t be an improvement here, but I still expect it to happen!

[duncs500]

My quarrel is with the cunts, shits, wankers and pricks in Parliament who allow the holes to proliferate. No point browbeating people to pay tax they can legally avoid. So: (1) limit the avoidance opportunities; (2) simplify the tax code so its administration is simpler and hence cheaper; and (3) use the resources saved from step 2 to fund the vigorous and persistent pursuit of those who operate outside the new code.

Unfortunately, for the government to do that they'd have to pay money to hire good quality people with knowledge and experience. The issue there is that despite said good person saving the government many times whatever salary they could negotiate, it has to be made public knowledge which results in people being 'VERY OUTRAGED' because it turns out they might be earning more than they are.

As a nation we seem to mostly be consumed with envy towards people that are more successful than we are.

[GG.]

My quarrel is with the cunts, shits, wankers and pricks in Parliament who allow the holes to proliferate. No point browbeating people to pay tax they can legally avoid. So: (1) limit the avoidance opportunities; (2) simplify the tax code so its administration is simpler and hence cheaper; and (3) use the resources saved from step 2 to fund the vigorous and persistent pursuit of those who operate outside the new code.

Unfortunately, for the government to do that they'd have to pay money to hire good quality people with knowledge and experience. The issue there is that despite said good person saving the government many times whatever salary they could negotiate, it has to be made public knowledge which results in people being 'VERY OUTRAGED' because it turns out they might be earning more than they are.

As a nation we seem to mostly be consumed with envy towards people that are more successful than we are.

Yep - pervasive envy is a pretty sad trait of the British.

Not that you necessarily want people in finance and consulting in the city to take up too many spaces on the green benches but I'd imagine you'd need to more than double their salaries to start attracting anyones interest in politics as a career. As it is you'll only get people like Sajid Javid who've already made their millions and effectively retired.

[Broccers]

There was a dude on the radio earlier. He was the big boss of Birmingham Council. His wage? 65k a year. Not much and shit tons of expose to getting major grief.

It's no wonder these people are distinctly average in councils.

[GG.]

Interesting - I once dated a girl whose father was the chief exec (or whatever the equivalent title is) of a county council and he was reputed to earn more like £250k and that was 15 years ago.

Wonder if it’s county v city council that accounts for that difference or just differing areas? Seems a large gap.

[unzippy]

Unfortunately, for the government to do that they'd have to pay money to hire good quality people with knowledge and experience. The issue there is that despite said good person saving the government many times whatever salary they could negotiate, it has to be made public knowledge which results in people being 'VERY OUTRAGED' because it turns out they might be earning more than they are.

As a nation we seem to mostly be consumed with envy towards people that are more successful than we are.

Yep - the drones in HMRC are hopelessly outgunned.

[Jobbo]

Interesting - I once dated a girl whose father was the chief exec (or whatever the equivalent title is) of a county council and he was reputed to earn more like £250k and that was 15 years ago.

Wonder if it’s county v city council that accounts for that difference or just differing areas? Seems a large gap.

I can’t believe Birmingham’s council leaders get paid less than county council leaders; it’s the biggest local authority in Europe.

ETA: his allowance is just over £66k. However, that won’t be his entire earnings, I’m sure.

[JLv3.0]

As a nation we seem to mostly be consumed with envy towards people that are more successful than we are.

Of all the countries I've lived in (admittedly that not many) the UK seems to be the only one that shows active resentment towards those who are doing or have done well for themselves.

I've always liked the idea of government consisting of a handful of very intelligent, very well-paid individuals. But no.

[duncs500]

As a nation we seem to mostly be consumed with envy towards people that are more successful than we are.

Of all the countries I've lived in (admittedly that not many) the UK seems to be the only one that shows active resentment towards those who are doing or have done well for themselves.

I've always liked the idea of government consisting of a handful of very intelligent, very well-paid individuals. But no.

Agreed, imagine the people who make the decisions that affect millions being rewarded with a salary commensurate with the responsibility?

The reward creates an appeal for the best and brightest and we all win. Would pay for itself too.

Imagine too people that have done well in a variety of challenging situation rather than career politicians who have the public sector malaise instilled for the whole of their working lives.

[JLv3.0]

It really doesn't sound too daft, does it. Ah well - too late now. Let the bottom feeders carry on fucking everything up in return for a modest income.

[Mito Man]

It’s all about giving people equal rights innit.

Inevitably the most intelligent person will be someone from a top university who statistically probably went to a private school. Having almost everyone from such a background making the big decisions for the millions of ‘ordinary’ people would probably end in one hell of a rift. Even if it would be for the good of the country and every person would be better off.

Don’t know why they just don’t bother introducing communism here sometimes