´óÏó´«Ã½

´óÏó´«Ã½ BLOGS - Newsnight: Michael Crick
« Previous | Main | Next »

What about Mandelson's patriotic duty?

Michael Crick | 18:46 UK time, Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Peter Mandelson joined the fray over Lord Ashcroft's tax status today, but a Conservative MP has rung to point out that between 2005 and 2008, when he was an EU Commissioner, Lord Mandelson himself would have been exempt from UK tax, and would only have had to pay a special EU levy of around 4% of his income.

In which case, isn't it Lord Mandelson's "patriotic duty" to make up the difference, and pay HM Revenue what he would have had to pay on his income had he been living in the UK?

By my reckoning that would amount to a considerable six-figure sum.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    DO ANY OF THEM BEAR SCRUTINY?

    Only politics would see Mandy as an asset. Would you want him as you child's teacher/mentor? Does anyone see Ashcroft as a philanthopist?

    And let's not fool ourselves that any of them is desirable in power.

    As an example: what does Dave want from us? Are we just his Set Ten Meccano?

    We see him daily measuring and adjusting his words and his maths, with a view to being more 'somebody' even on top of good fortune and wealth in abundance. There is so much he could do from that elevated base, but he wants more - why? His political predecessors all fell into the same pattern of 'power at any cost (to integrity) so there is something general to be learned here, as well as particular - to Dave. But Dave is up and coming, so he shall be my focus.

    Apparently he has a degree in Politics, Economics AND PHILOSOPHY. Now - we have all seen Dave do integrity-free politics and we have all watched him do substance-fee economics but PHILOSOPHY? Surely he dare not!
    Philosophy: "Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline." Let's see how that stacks up with: "Love of personal aggrandisement, by manipulation of the public mind, regardless of intellectual rigor abandoned, and moral boundaries crossed." Bit of a miss-match there Dave?

    So what is philosophy doing as part of a dastards degree? Might it be this dandy is for turning? Salesmen learn psychology to lure their prey. Might it be that the philosophical knowledge imparted to aspiring politicians is from the Dark Side? I see no sign of positive philosophy flowing freely in the Halls of Westminster. Would a benign philosopher hire the likes of Alastair Campbell to be his constant companion, rushing about doing good? No - something is gong on - the Chamber is filled, mostly, with dark matter: not directly detectable. NEGATIVE PHILOSOPHY. "Love and pursuit of nihilism by intellectual obfuscation and moral indiscipline."

    So before we single out ANY ONE of these self-selected anomalies, let us ask 'WHAT DO THEY WANT'? What do they want all that money for, but to BUY US WITH. What do they want power for, but to fill their hollow souls and infant needs. What do donors want for thir money, but more power to gain even more money.

    And finally - WHAT DO WE WANT WITH ANY OF THEM? We should have an ABSTENTION option on the voting slip - fat chance! Failing that, vote for an independent - SPOIL PARTY GAMES.

  • Comment number 2.

    There's something distasteful in Politicians who are apparently less than pure spouting as though they hold the moral high ground.
    However they try to justify it, neither Mandelson nor Ashcroft seem worthy of my attention, and certainly not my respect!

  • Comment number 3.

    Are MEPs non dom?

  • Comment number 4.

    Does Mandelson's hypocrisy surprise you?

    btw Michael, I know it's not often you have a Tory grandee and their Deputy Leader in your sights but you were visibly shaking with excitement last night. Calm down and remember, you're supposed to be a professional.

  • Comment number 5.

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

  • Comment number 6.

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

  • Comment number 7.

    So far as I am aware neither Ashcroft nor Mandelson have ever been prosecuted for a criminal offence.

Ìý

´óÏó´«Ã½ iD

´óÏó´«Ã½ navigation

´óÏó´«Ã½ © 2014 The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.