Rupert Murdoch on Radio Five Live today

[wendigo100]

Did anyone hear it?

He says that he switched to Labour in 1997 because the Tories were disunited and rudderless under Major (nothing new there). He thinks Labour have been a good government, and likes Gordon Brown and his "calvinism" (hard work ethic).

However, he accused Labour of largely destroying the legacy of self-reliance amongst people that Thatcher built, and criticised Brown for his high taxes and masses of red tape.

This left me wondering, what does he like about Labour, exactly?

As for today's Tories, Murdoch is impressed by Cameron himself, but not by his policies because he doesn't seem to have any yet.

[hyperD]

This left me wondering, what does he like about Labour, exactly?

He likes any political parties that promote policies and decisions which favour his commercial interests, such as his desire to gain the market dominance for his News Corp company.

[Gunnery Sergeant Highway]

I suspect he also likes the fact that News Corp aren't being hassled to pay any tax. It is alleged that, although highly profitable, News Corp has never paid a penny in Corporation Tax.

[hyperD]

I suspect he also likes the fact that News Corp aren't being hassled to pay any tax. It is alleged that, although highly profitable, News Corp has never paid a penny in Corporation Tax.

Correct. Funny that.

If Cameron wants to win, one thing he needs is to get Murdoch on his side. Howard was too weak a leader, Cameron is bright but Murdoch needs to know what his business/tax policies are (i.e. what's in it for him) before making any moves to support him.

[benn0]

He likes any political parties that promote policies and decisions which favour his commercial interests, such as his desire to gain the market dominance for his News Corp company.

Oh yes - Self interest. Let he who is not guilty cast the first stone.

[hyperD]

Oh yes - Self interest. Let he who is not guilty cast the first stone.

The real world getting to you whinging lefties again, eh?

[benn0]

I'm about the only person on those board NOT whinging ffs.

[wendigo100]

Hmm. Murdoch also hates the idea of the UK joining the Euro, and yet that is New Labour policy "when the time is right".

I still cannot see what Murdoch likes about New Labour. If it is all about News International's tax kick-backs, I'm sure they would get the same preferential treatment from any other party in power. And why should Murdoch bother criticising New Labour for raising taxes if it has no effect on him whatsoever?

I suspect he only "likes" New Labour because they win elections, and his titles only supported them before each election because he knew as well as everyone else that they were going to win.

I bet, like most other people with above-average intelligence and real work experience, he secretly hates the socialist incompetents.

[BoredBloke]

He simply likes the fact that he pays very little tax under his New Labour back scratching policy.

[AtW]

And why should Murdoch bother criticising New Labour for raising taxes if it has no effect on him whatsoever?

He still has to pay NI on salaries of many people his businesses employ - he also has to pay local taxes, rates, compliance with taxes, etc etc.