Reply to: hello pot, this is kettle calling...

[TheFaQQer]

What about Lord Swarj Paul, who I believe is another non-dom *and* has trousered £250K in expenses for attending the House of Lords whereas Ashcroft hasn't claimed a penny?

I refer the honourable gentleman to the post I made some moments ago, r.e. Lord Paul.

[Addanc]

The fact that for once Mandelson has the higher moral ground says a lot for the status of Ashcroft.

I don't think so. See here, here, here and here.

[OwlHoot]

The fact that for once Mandelson has the higher moral ground says a lot for the status of Ashcroft. ...

What about Lord Swarj Paul, who I believe is another non-dom *and* has trousered £250K in expenses for attending the House of Lords whereas Ashcroft hasn't claimed a penny?

[TheFaQQer]

Does Lord Paul get the same treatment?

Labour's bleating on this is pure hypocrisy.

Lord Paul has never denied being a non-dom. Lord Paul's business, which donates money to the Labour party, actually does some business in the UK, whereas Ashcroft's business is being reviewed by the Electoral Commission to determine whether any of his donations are legal or not.

[Moscow Mule]

After being rejected for a peerage, Ashcroft gave assurances that he would become resident in this country. The assumption was that he would become tax resident. He then sought government legal advice on whether he had to become a tax payer, and was advised that he didn't.

Which, to a certain extent, is no different from many of the MPs - Kitty Ussher, Hazel Blears, et al - have done. However, they took a few grand from the taxpayer, whereas Ashcroft is about £300million short on his tax payments.

If you still believe that he has a higher moral authority than Mandelson, then I question your morality.

Does Lord Paul get the same treatment?

Labour's bleating on this is pure hypocrisy.

[KW17 2LN]

It really turns my stomach to see Mandelson in Ermine, so for him to say this makes my sides split...

I bet he makes Reinaldo's sides split.

[Menelaus]

http://order-order.com/2010/03/02/to...to-be-jobless/

More from Guido.

One wonders how much this is costing we taxpayers...

[TheFaQQer]

I have to say I don't take that view.

After being rejected for a peerage, Ashcroft gave assurances that he would become resident in this country. The assumption was that he would become tax resident. He then sought government legal advice on whether he had to become a tax payer, and was advised that he didn't.

Which, to a certain extent, is no different from many of the MPs - Kitty Ussher, Hazel Blears, et al - have done. However, they took a few grand from the taxpayer, whereas Ashcroft is about £300million short on his tax payments.

If you still believe that he has a higher moral authority than Mandelson, then I question your morality.

[TheFaQQer]

Why should he pay tax in the UK on income earned abroad? Why should any of us?

Because he is shaping the laws of the land. Plus, his party is saying that it's their "duty" to win the election to do the best for Britain - if you are going to take that approach, then surely it's your "duty" to contribute to the exchequer.

[Churchill]

http://order-order.com/

As always, Guido's on top of it.

A Guido co-conspirator in the comments points out that between 2001 -2008 Lord Ashcroft attended parliament 285 times at a total cost to the taxpayer of £0.00 in expenses, with an average cost of £0.00.

During the same period Lord Swarj Paul attended parliament 1047 times at a cost to the taxpayer of £281,263 in expenses. The average cost per visit was £268.64 and in 2008/9 this jumped to £405.58 per visit.

[ratewhore]

The fact that for once Mandelson has the higher moral ground says a lot for the status of Ashcroft.

I have to say I don't take that view.

Why should he pay tax in the UK on income earned abroad? Why should any of us?

I take that view...

[Menelaus]

http://order-order.com/

As always, Guido's on top of it.

[Moscow Mule]

Let talk about non-dom contributions since 2001.

CON Total £5,164,115.15
LAB Total £6,734,250.00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datab...vatives-labour

The text of the article differs from the data sheet, but what do you expect from the Gruaniad.

[Mich the Tester]

[post Deleted]

thank you

[Mich the Tester]

what did I ******* tell you?