Why is it one rule for the shadow Cabinet and another for Ashcroft?

David

Don't you think it could also be that Ashcroft isn't actually doing anything wrong? And if so, he is not as yet under any obligation to set out his tax returns for Gordon Brown to go through.

C

You are conflating two very different issues.

Dave B

I don't see why you keep harping on about Lord Ashcroft's tax bill. If the Inland Revenue don't have a problem with him, there's no story.

Gawain

This is also the time of year when journalists run out of anything sensible to say. Did you have one too many glasses of rioja at lunch with a bunch of Labour spin doctors James ?

Ashcroft does not hold any elected office. He is not responsible for spending a bean of taxpayers money. He has built up businesses that employ large numbers of people in the UK and pay tax here. He is spending vast amounts of his own money to get rid of a government that had to borrow £ 20 billion to pay the social security bills last month. Please leave him alone.

euro-zone

Somebody will no doubt shoot me down for my naivity but let me state my case, I am a British citizen born and bred in the UK, I live in Germany, having spent most of my working life in Switzerland and Germany, in these countries I have paid my taxes, insurance etc. I now receive pensions from both countries, I am allowed to vote on local issues (local council) and the European parliament but not allowed here in Germany to vote for the national parliament.
If (as I am entitled to) I am registered to vote for the UK parliament at my last abode in the UK then why canīt I also use my earnings/pensions to promote the political party that I favour?
P.S. I have no intention of running for parliament in the UK.

Chuck Unsworth

What has Ashcroft's tax affairs got to do with Parliamentary Expenses?

Why has The Spectator decided that these two entirely separate matters are somehow linked? It it part of The Spectator's ongoing campaign to oust Ashcroft? And why this particular fixation? Nobody is seriously interested in this except NuLabour and its mouthpiece, one James Forsyth.

Irene

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Ashcroft isn't in the Shadow Cabinet.

Alastair

If Lord Ashcroft was breaking the law one of Ed Balls' lackies at HMRC would have "leaked" it by now.

Ivy Eileen

I agree with the posters above - what's the problem ? This results from allowing Brown to decide what are the rules and how they are to be played (and on this and many other topics). Shut Brown up by pointing out his hypocrisy - surely there is someone capable of doing this ? This imposed guilt complex is stupid - it's the same over inheritance tax, which under current Tory proposals will only bite on "millionaires". Ashcroft has no public position, is a private individual and is doing what he wishes to do with his own money. A rather different kettle of fish from Lord Paul P.C.

Woody

James Forsyth - SHUT UP about Lord Ashcroft's tax affairs. I'm sick of hearing about it. This is a Westminster story and we 'up North' do not give a monkey's about it. It won't stop me voting Conservative, nor anyone else I hope.
What you should be writing about is the story re the unions holding monies back to 'fight the tories' after the election.

TrevorsDen

Do you know - ? I do not give a toss about Lord Ashcroft and his tax status. All I care about is getting rid of Broom-cupboard Brown.

Oh and if anyone is wondering why Brown came out of the cupboard, its because it was bare.

Cogito Ergosum

It is almost certain that Lord A complies with the law. The question is, does he comply with his promises?

Yes, we the people are entitled to ask that question because Lord A is in public life as a major Conservative activist.

The fact is that his arrogance to the ordinary voter will lose Conservative votes from amny ordinary people.

Chuck Unsworth

@ Cogito Ergosum

Prepared to vouch for the integrity and honesty of all major Labour activists - such as Sainsbury? Do they 'keep their promises' in the same way as, say, Gordon Brown or Tony Blair? Remember the Pledges?

Ask away, Ashcroft is not answerable to you.

As to 'ordinary people' - who are they?

JohnAnt

But Ashcroft has not defrauded anyone, or overclaimed, nor has he lied about where he lives in order to claim illegitimate expenses payments, nor has he withheld CGT or engaged in any sharp practice to the detriment of the taxpayer.
HMRC appears not to have a problem with him - why should you or any of us?

Taxi for the Scottish Tory Party!.

Ashcroft owns the Tories, he makes all the decisions.

strapworld

Mr Forsyth. Have you been taking something?

There is a lot of difference between people who have taken British Taxpayers money for expenses which are not wholly to assist them in their parliamentary duties. AND a man who has never taken any money from the British Taxpayer!

As I wrote yesterday. Lord Ashcroft created the organisation which became CRIMESTOPPERS. His money backed this brilliant organisation and he still supports it. This organisation has helped bring thousands of criminals to justice and recovered many thousands of pounds of stolen goods. This man also purchased and built up a collection of Victoria Crosses which he has loaned to the people via The Imperial War Museum.

Tonight he saved Watford Football Club from going into administration. A small act for several millions which will make many thousands of people who support that footBall club happy.

Lord Ashcroft is a decent man who has done much for the people of this country.

Now, the real story is that we have a shadow cabinet who have, disgracefully, played the system and a leader of the opposition who has done nothing about them at all! The weak, almost unbelievable press release asking the Prime Minister how many of his cabinet have had to pay back money is quite disgraceful.

IF he does not sack those that have taken taxpayers money for their own then Cameron will be damned. I write as a Dr. Liam Fox supporter but he HAS to go.

This has gone far enough. People are sick and tired of politicians playing fast and loose with the public purse. Cameron is not showing leadership and he has to step aside.

bernerlap

Ashcroft deserves more publicity. No one mentions that he has built up the world's largest collection of VCs and makes it availabel free of charge to the Imperial War Museum so everyone can see it and recognise the sacrifices made for this country in the past.
That is far more important than the nit picking of jounralists short of copy.
The average punter has never heard of Ashctoft and couldn't care less about his tax position as long as it si within the law.
If he is avoiding tax good luck to him. I would avoid tax if I could because it breaks my heart to see ZanuLab flushing my money down the toilet.

Andy Leeds

I agree with the rest of the posters here. Shut up about it. If you can prove that Lord Ashcroft is doing anything illegal or that he is not honouring the undertakings he gave when he was ennobled then show us the evidence. You have no way of proving Lord Ashcroft does not pay UK income tax. A non story. Oh by the way do tell us all about Lord Paul.

Holly ......

Forsyth....You are becoming a saga!!!!

Roger Davies

Is the man not innocent until proven guilty? Mind you no sensible person would want to pay a Penny more in taxation just to watch it poured down the sewer.

Victor Southern

James Forsyth - do you have any proof that Lord Ashcroft has illicitly claimed any expenses from the House of Lords? I suspect the answer is No.

You are as bad as the UKippers who can drag the EU into a discussions on global warming.

You may dislike the philanthropic Ashcroft, perhaps because you are not a Conservative. Lord Paul is a non-dom who claims expenses from the Lords and who funds the Labour Party. Lord Sainsbury gave Labour an estimated £25-million and became the Science Minister.

Discuss please.

Irene

Holly - That did make me laugh!

Alic

Who cares where he pays tax? Really? who cares apart from journalists? I don't. It's not like he lied on his mortgage application, or bought porn sky sports and luxury furniture and patio heaters on public money, claiming they were necessary for public duties, is it? Now Move On for pities sake...