BN66 - Time to fight back!!!

[Emigre]

I disagree, as long as its worded appropriately and the emphasis is not on us but the principle and how it may affect 'them' in the future. There are some pretty influential professional bodies who would support us, not least the opposition in parliament, soon to be the government.

Retrospection is attacking us today but it could be everyone tomorrow. Gordon has a huge funding hole. Why not fill it by increasing all tax rates by 5% backdated to 1987 or whenever. There is no difference but you can bet the public would get excited by that injustice.

There is very little that can be done to raise awareness on a wide scale overnight but a concerted campaign over a longer period can. Nothing is going to be decided here tomorrow so we have that time if we start now and structure it properly. For the record it appears that it is not possible to start an ePetition at #10 while Gordon is on holiday. Perhaps we should stop paying him while he's away too?

[malvolio]

When IR35 was introduced, I suggested a newspaper campaign to the PCG. They ignored my advice and thought that cosying up to MPs and quietly debating things would help them. It didnt!

It did, actually, but we won't argue.

However, more germane to your debate is the recent FBT/Income Shifting exercise. That was all PCG's work, even though the FSB (helped by some sloppy journos) nicked all the credit. That was publicity and political pressure in action.

Perhaps you collectively should write and ask them for help supporting your campaign?

[Emigre]

This was featured on Radio 4's 6pm news, so its made it into the mainstream. So news of the shambles that is the UK tax system is getting out there.

The one chap that was interviewed was quoted as saying that HMRC under the current goverment had 'lost the plot' with regards to taxation

Also on the BBC Website

Its one thing for the shambles to be out there and known. It is quite something else to get it sorted out. Look at IR35... over 1500 cases and the IR haven't made it to double figures on wins yet.

Bottom line is that they have let the country down by creating a tax system that lacks certainty and is so complex that they themselves do not understand it. Many of the issue we see today could have been avoided with some proper consultation and without the spin and the "because it's right" mantra eulogised by the charlatan Blair and his sociopathic sidekick, Brown.

[portseven]

the "because it's right" mantra

because it's right = because i say so

[DonkeyRhubarb]

I'm afraid I agree with silver_lining.

I understand your desire to do something, which is why I originally started the "BN66 - Time to fight back" thread, but it will be difficult to hide who is behind such a campaign.

Once it gets out that it has been orchestrated by a bunch of highly paid contractors motivated by self-interest, even people who oppose the legislation in principle may want to distance themselves from it.

IMO, the right place to argue the case is in a court of law, and I am sure the press and other bodies will take an interest in the proceedings, especially when HMRC's incompetence and dishonesty is exposed for all to see.

Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing to do.

[SantaClaus]

It did, actually, but we won't argue.

However, more germane to your debate is the recent FBT/Income Shifting exercise. That was all PCG's work, even though the FSB (helped by some sloppy journos) nicked all the credit. That was publicity and political pressure in action.

Perhaps you collectively should write and ask them for help supporting your campaign?

The reason I cancelled my PCG membership was because they started to become an organisation for the benefit of themselves. They favoured a softly softly approach, hob-nobbing with MPs, but hardly got any publicity in the media. The one odd time they were quoted on the news, their message was taken out of context and turned around to make contractors look like a lying bunch of cheats.

I think a press campaign and maybe "fathers for justice" style demonstrations (Brillo, where are you? )is the way to go. But I just cant see IT contractors getting their fat off their seats to do this.

[poppy01]

Retrospection is attacking us today but it could be everyone tomorrow. Gordon has a huge funding hole. Why not fill it by increasing all tax rates by 5% backdated to 1987 or whenever. There is no difference but you can bet the public would get excited by that injustice.

There is very little that can be done to raise awareness on a wide scale overnight but a concerted campaign over a longer period can. Nothing is going to be decided here tomorrow so we have that time if we start now and structure it properly. For the record it appears that it is not possible to start an ePetition at #10 while Gordon is on holiday. Perhaps we should stop paying him while he's away too?

First thing would be to gauge support from those affected, MP and other scheme clients, plus the mythical 'property developers' possibly.

First how do we get contacts for everyone, would montpelier supply this to such an action group, I think some members here are closer to the hub of things, If montpelier wont supply the details, would they be prepared to mailshot eveyone and ask them to get in contact with us directly. Once we know the level of support we can ask for donations, 2000 * 200 quid is a lot of moolah and would get us a nice full page in the Times I'm sure. Could we get support from Price Coopers, the PCG, Her Majesty's Opposition?

[poppy01]

IMO, the right place to argue the case is in a court of law, and I am sure the press and other bodies will take an interest in the proceedings, especially when HMRC's incompetence and dishonesty is exposed for all to see.

Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing to do.

DR, I know there is hope that the JR will do the right thing, but remember IR35, the JR gave hmrc a bollocking, but still it went thru.....

[Emigre]

Poppy, you have PM

[Ratican]

Time to Fight

I don't think it would cost as much as £400,000 - maybe about a tenth of that.
We need a website to present our case initially.
We could use this site to collect payments to fund advertising.

My only concern is that it may be too late for this sort of action. Even if we can embarrass the government; what can they do about it now? Has it not gone through the parliamentary process already and received the approval (committee vote and royal ascent)? Is it not too late to reverse the decision?

If anybody hasn't yet read the Hansard record from THAT Finance Committee meeting - please have a good look: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmtoday/cmstand/output/pbc089/pb080522p-01.htm