Mark Steel - a not funny idiot
As Tim Worstall puts it:
Mark Steel: IdiotQuite. This is what Mark Steel, idiot, writes:
New Labour certainly keep their promises. Before they were elected, they promised to reform the loophole that enables the super-rich to avoid paying tax, by claiming "non-domicile tax status". And now, 11 years later, they’re still promising to do it.Steel is, of course, not alone. I have read the same sort of 'NonDoms pay no tax' thing so many times. But as Tim writes, this is complete nonsense:This ruse involves living in Britain while not being an official resident, and is one of the main ways in which the richest 54 billionaires in the country have paid on average 1 and a half per cent tax.
If you are not resident in the UK you do not pay tax at all in the UK. Non-doms are resident in the UK which is why they pay full UK tax on their UK earnings and full UK tax on earnings from other countries which they bring into the UK. But because they are resident but not domiciled they do not pay UK tax on money that they earn in other countries and do not bring into the UK. If they were not residents we would call them non-residents: the fact that we call them non-domiciles rather than non-residents might be the smallest of clues to the fact that they are not "living in Britain while not being an official resident".Steel isn't just an idiot. He's also one of that breed of lefty comedians who aren't remotely funny.
Previous
Blogs: Clive Davis | Melanie Phillips | Americano | Coffee House | Trading Floor
Actions: Print this article | Email to a friend | Permalink | Comments (5)
Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
Advertisement
Stephen Pollard's Blog Roll
Oliver Kamm
Politics, economics and culture from the master. Unmissable.
Daniel Finkelstein's Times Comment Central
A daily must-read.
Tim Worstall
Lots of interesting nibbles - and a ruthless swatter of economic gibberish.
Marginal Revolution
Tyler Cowen's riveting economic blog.
Harry's Place
Must-read left of centre blog from writers who understand the threat to the West.
Thought Experiments
The peerless Bryan Appleyard's blog.
Opera Chic
An American in Milan, on opera.
Intermezzo
A London-based classical music enthusiast.
Jessica Duchen's classical music blog
Does what it says on the tin.
Samizdata
Libertarian blog, packed every day.
Norm's blog
The thoroughly sensible thoughts of renowned left-wing academic Norman Geras, Professor of Government at Manchester. And cricket, too.
Public Interest
Peter Briffa's inimitable take on The Yazzmonster and other assorted demons.
Reform
The public sector reform group; their website is an invaluable source of data and ideas.
Centre for the New Europe
The leading European public policy think tank.
Latest blog posts
sponsored links
Volvo -The Official Site
Request a brochure, book a test drive or find your Volvo dealer.
ROME CENTRE
PORTA METRONIA, ROME Standing high on the top of one of the seven hills of Rome- the Coelian- this unique
City Breaks. ROME and PARIS
ROME and PARIS: over 350 holiday rentals apartments listed: visit www.romanreference.com and www.parisreference.com or call +39 0648 903612.
Jewellery. RUFFS (Estd. 1904).
Goldsmiths by Design Welcome to Ruffs! You have found a company of Goldsmiths that specialises in the manufacture, amongst other
Spectator Business | Apollo Magazine
Corporate | Advertising | Privacy | Terms
Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP
All Articles and Content Copyright ©2008 by The Spectator | All Rights Reserved
Ray
February 13th, 2008 5:56pmCan anyone name any 'lefty comedian' who is remotely funny?
verity
February 13th, 2008 7:44pmRay beat me to it. That's why they call them 'alternative' comedians. They are an alternative to being amused.
Austin Barry
February 14th, 2008 12:56amMark Steel has been a long time member member of the Socialists Workers Party. He was also born in Swanley, Kent. Consequently, his hold on sanity must be tenuous at best. I wouldn't worry about him.
ignotum per ignotius
February 14th, 2008 4:50amI followed your final link, which is to an article wherein you describe the reception his stand-up routine typically receives: This is usually met with sympathetic, knowing laughter from an audience that goes to hear the "comedian" only because they know and share the politics. I used to listen to his show on BBC Radio 4 (without any great enthusiasm, it must be said), and I find your characterisation to be pretty accurate. This age of dumbed-down "Infotainment" is tailor-made for trendy Leftist mountebanks. They can find endless opportunities to drip a Marxist historical narrative into the increasingly dim public consciousness, all under the guise of 'comedy' --- safe in the knowledge that their audience is less likely to scrutinise their fashionable assertions than to go and regurgitate them down the pub. ...And judging by the single comment the linked article received, this strategy's working a treat...
Umbongo
February 14th, 2008 3:46pm"He's also one of that breed of lefty comedians who aren't remotely funny" which includes Jeremy Hardy, Marcus Brigstocke and Sandi Toksvig. All of them - including Steel - suck at the generous teat provided by our state broadcaster.