Tax Exile and Politically Active?

[Fittster]

We have recently had a number of high profile business men who structure their affairs to minimise the amount of UK tax they pay taking an active role in politics.

Labour = Lord Paul
Conservatives = Philip Green.

Is it acceptable for someone to be involved in Government if they are not paying tax in the UK?

[rich1231]

Yes,

a huge number of voters dont contribute either.

[Don]

Personally I don't care if they pay UK tax or not on earnings that are nothing to do with their role in government.

What I do care about is that the government gets a fair day's work for a fair day's pay and that they don't take the piss with expenses.

...and finally: I don't expect to find that their involvement in government has allowed them to win lucrative contracts for their businesses.

[MX7]

If the government feels that their role is worthy, taking into account their personal situation, then so be it. It would be foolish to dismiss someones valid opinion and experience because of where they reside.

[anonymous-user]

fine with me. i suspect they still pay considerably more uk tax then most on any earnings they can't get offshore. secondly one assumes if they are successful enough that they need such tax arrangements then they are relatively competent at something which makes them significantly more qualified to run the country than 90% of the fvcking morons in government.

[Spiritual_Beggar]

I'd much rather has the business elite involved in Government than I would the actual politicians.


At least then I know the guys in charge actually have experience with how the 'Real World' operates.

[Beardy10]

I've got no problem at all with this. I actually getting some like Green involved is very interesting...he's made a career (and a fortune) out of stripping costs out of businesses....unfortunately he's not quite so good at delivering top line growth. Of course he has technically made a fortune for his wife and not himself....she's the tax exile.

[perdu]

yes absolutely

[Dixie68]

He paid £400 million in taxes over the last 5 years so it's not exactly like he's doing a runner with taxpayers cash.

[Jasandjules]

IF they are good at what they do, then why not.

[colonel c]

I'm afraid this new government are beginning to show the same lack of presentational skills as the previous administration. They paraded Sir Alan Sugar in front of us and now we get another flamboyant business celeb foisted on us. How will this image play with those losing their livelihoods or services:

The FT reporting on Sit Philip's interview on Radio 4 said:

..Before he was rudely confronted with questions about tax, Sir Philip was relaxing in Sardinia with his celebrity friends.

He partied at the Billionaire club in Porto Cervo with former Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore, Leonardo DiCaprio and Naomi Campbell – fresh from the “inconvenient” appearance at The Hague war crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor. A few days later, he relaxed on a yacht with the same chums.

[MX7]

colonel c said:

I'm afraid this new government are beginning to show the same lack of presentational skills as the previous administration. They paraded Sir Alan Sugar in front of us and now we get another flamboyant business celeb foisted on us.

Green is a celebrity? I think that Sugar and Green are very different characters, with very different levels of achievements.

[Magog]

I thought Phillip Green wasn't trusted at all by the city due to some dubious former practices. Also didn't he pay himself a massive lump sum out of a loan to BHS when he turned it round, I thought that was against the law. Hardly seems like a fit and proper person to be treading the corridors of power.

[physprof]

does he have a vote?

i.e. is he a registered voter and in what constituency? if not then he can feck off.

[grumbledoak]

It is your duty to yourself and your family to minimise, within the law, the tax that you pay. These people are far more beneficial to our society than the legions of benefit bludgers, yet they've all got the right to vote Labour.

I just wish I'd been successful enough to warrant tax exile status.

[playerone]

Magog said:

I thought Phillip Green wasn't trusted at all by the city due to some dubious former practices. Also didn't he pay himself a massive lump sum out of a loan to BHS when he turned it round, I thought that was against the law. Hardly seems like a fit and proper person to be treading the corridors of power.

So you thought he maybe did something maybe in the past so you think hes not a fit and proper person? Glad youve got some concrete evidence

[Kindersley]

Dixie68 said:

He paid £400 million in taxes over the last 5 years so it's not exactly like he's doing a runner with taxpayers cash.

Nice to see someone else who does not read the Daily Mail and base their facts on forum gossip etc

Green Pays a fortune. Employs thousands and is right to save what he can.