Burnham's problem is he needs to pass through 7 gates to become PM
1) He needs a seat to become available 2) He needs the byelection to be scheduled for as soon as possible 3) He needs the NEC to overturn their ban on him standing 4) He needs to be selected for the seat 5) He needs to win the byelection 6) He needs any Labour leadership contest to happen after he is back in parliament 7) He needs to win the leadership contest
The hardest ones are 2,3,6 as they are dependent on what his political opponents do. It's not in the interests of the Starmer faction to allow him to stand and it's not in the interests of other contenders like Streeting for a contest to be delayed.
5 looks tricky to me. In any seat he faces a cross electorate, the tendency for elections to cluster around just two candidates, the resultant tactical voting and the English sense of duty towards being told what to do by their betters.
Given that we live in post truth politics, where promising spending without taxes is merely standard, what’s the problem?
Being 10 steps away from being PM is just Bad Facts (TM). Feelings are more important.
On the Reform camps to concentrate migrants for deportation.
The location methodology brings to mind a quote.
“Own the Libtards”
The location is half of the reason for them - to “give Them a taste of their own medicine”.
You'd be hard pressed to find a spot to build one of these concentration camps in my own liberal minded inner London constituency but Reform would be more than welcome to give it a go if they fancy it. Good luck to them getting anyone in or out though.
Things have so developed in the last year and a half that the fact Reform is promising to build concentration camps is now marginally less toxic than the fact Reform is doing things like Donald Trump.
I don’t approve of this policy at all but calling them concentration camps is not only absurd it also diminishes the reality of actual concentration camps and those who lost their lives in them.
What they’re proposing are prisons, camps that the inhabitants can’t leave (until they’re deported).
Internment camps if you like
I think using the term concentration camp is absurd
I doubt gas chambers will be involved
We call Auschwitz etc "concentration camps" because that's what the Nazis called them - Konzentrationslager. They could have called them "death camps", which is what they were. Blame them if you prefer your concentration camps without gas chambers.
Hitler was an evil, evil, idiot.
He was anti-smoking though. Allegedly, one of the reasons it took so long for the 'Rest of the West' to come down firmly against the habit.
Edit: And a teetotaller, although that's not as desirable as characteristic!
What is it with authoritarians and the demon drink? Trump also, it is said, refuses an alcoholic tipple..
On the other hand, Hegseth and Patel not so much.
Hitler was also very keen on trains and town planning.
I am not sure that and his love of dogs compensates for the genocide and the armed expansionism.
There’s a hilarious story about the animal welfare concerns of the Nazis & prosecuting the Commandant of Auschwitz for sadism. By the Nazis.
You just need the right sense of humour.
"Oooh, that's a bingo! Is that the way you say it? "That's a bingo?""
I must say I am *shocked* at how many of the highly ‘virtuous and kind’ left wing media and establishment politicians have revealed they view living near asylum seekers is a “punishment”.
I must say I am *shocked* at how many of the highly ‘virtuous and kind’ left wing media and establishment politicians have revealed they view living near asylum seekers is a “punishment”.
Whoever would have thought!
He’s going to have to try harder than that bullshit. As are you. But, as with most on the right, it’s not really the “other” you hate really, it’s yourselves. It’s just so sad to see this level of self hatred on show all day and every day. Hope you heal. 😘
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
I must say I am *shocked* at how many of the highly ‘virtuous and kind’ left wing media and establishment politicians have revealed they view living near asylum seekers is a “punishment”.
Whoever would have thought!
The would be authoritarian idiot can't tell the difference between "living next to asylum seekers" and having Britain ICE on their doorstep.
I must say I am *shocked* at how many of the highly ‘virtuous and kind’ left wing media and establishment politicians have revealed they view living near asylum seekers is a “punishment”.
Whoever would have thought!
Sounds like he over-thought it and is now trying to create the narrative he assumed he'd get but didn't. I suspect this stuff will be quietly dropped.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
Maybe. Otoh Putin's imminent demise has been rumoured ever since he would sit in isolation at one end of those extremely long tables that apparently fill the Kremlin. One day they'll be right. That Putin is worried, yes, he probably is; even paranoid perhaps.
Burnham's problem is he needs to pass through 7 gates to become PM
1) He needs a seat to become available 2) He needs the byelection to be scheduled for as soon as possible 3) He needs the NEC to overturn their ban on him standing 4) He needs to be selected for the seat 5) He needs to win the byelection 6) He needs any Labour leadership contest to happen after he is back in parliament 7) He needs to win the leadership contest
The hardest ones are 2,3,6 as they are dependent on what his political opponents do. It's not in the interests of the Starmer faction to allow him to stand and it's not in the interests of other contenders like Streeting for a contest to be delayed.
5 looks tricky to me. In any seat he faces a cross electorate, the tendency for elections to cluster around just two candidates, the resultant tactical voting and the English sense of duty towards being told what to do by their betters.
I suspect Burnham would be better playing a longer game. Yes, absolutely look to get back into parliament, maybe even make a deal with whoever is Labour leader in the next 12 months to avoid the NEC blocking it, and prepare the ground for being the natural successor at that point. I think any hasty attempt to prepare the ground for an immediate replacement of Starmer is doomed to fail for him, and will end up damaging his brand.
I must say I am *shocked* at how many of the highly ‘virtuous and kind’ left wing media and establishment politicians have revealed they view living near asylum seekers is a “punishment”.
Whoever would have thought!
Sounds like he over-thought it and is now trying to create the narrative he assumed he'd get but didn't. I suspect this stuff will be quietly dropped.
It’s not got the traction hoped for by the usual suspects on here to be sure.
The thing is, maybe Reform’s current approach can be enough to win if everyone else is split.
But how is their current positioning winning over anyone else who wasn’t already on their team?
It’s all a bit Corbyn 2019 where they just kept doubling down on things that people who were already well in their camp liked but at the extent of any other voters.
All of this seems a touch illusory anyway as like I’ve said, Keir Starmer won’t be leading Labour at the next election.
I must say I am *shocked* at how many of the highly ‘virtuous and kind’ left wing media and establishment politicians have revealed they view living near asylum seekers is a “punishment”.
Whoever would have thought!
Sounds like he over-thought it and is now trying to create the narrative he assumed he'd get but didn't. I suspect this stuff will be quietly dropped.
It’s not got the traction hoped for by the usual suspects on here to be sure.
Restore seized the moment to pretend to be less nutty than Reform.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a memorial wall in Golders Green, north London, was damaged on 27 April.
I must say I am *shocked* at how many of the highly ‘virtuous and kind’ left wing media and establishment politicians have revealed they view living near asylum seekers is a “punishment”.
Whoever would have thought!
Sounds like he over-thought it and is now trying to create the narrative he assumed he'd get but didn't. I suspect this stuff will be quietly dropped.
It’s not got the traction hoped for by the usual suspects on here to be sure.
Restore seized the moment to pretend to be less nutty than Reform.
Is Reform worried about their right flank?
Differently nutty, anyway.
But yes- Rupert Spode is right (if revolting); if you are really serious about deporting huge numbers of people at minimal cost, you don't put the camps where you concentrate people before deporting them in the sort of city-centre constituencies and council areas likely to vote Green.
Poor Zia. Someday he may become a real politician.
UAE Ministry of Defence confirms Iran fired 4 loitering munitions, three intercepted over territorial waters. One fell into the sea. No impacts on land.
Burnham's problem is he needs to pass through 7 gates to become PM
1) He needs a seat to become available 2) He needs the byelection to be scheduled for as soon as possible 3) He needs the NEC to overturn their ban on him standing 4) He needs to be selected for the seat 5) He needs to win the byelection 6) He needs any Labour leadership contest to happen after he is back in parliament 7) He needs to win the leadership contest
The hardest ones are 2,3,6 as they are dependent on what his political opponents do. It's not in the interests of the Starmer faction to allow him to stand and it's not in the interests of other contenders like Streeting for a contest to be delayed.
5 looks tricky to me. In any seat he faces a cross electorate, the tendency for elections to cluster around just two candidates, the resultant tactical voting and the English sense of duty towards being told what to do by their betters.
I suspect Burnham would be better playing a longer game. Yes, absolutely look to get back into parliament, maybe even make a deal with whoever is Labour leader in the next 12 months to avoid the NEC blocking it, and prepare the ground for being the natural successor at that point. I think any hasty attempt to prepare the ground for an immediate replacement of Starmer is doomed to fail for him, and will end up damaging his brand.
Yes. At the moment he has against him significant powers. That is all ('both' may be a better word) the people who don't want a new leader; all those candidates and their entourage who do want to be the new leader and whose odds are damaged by allowing Burnham's entry in the Labour Leader Amateur Jockeys Handicap; everyone who doesn't want Burnham anyway and supports 'anyone but Burnham'. the final power he faces is the UK voter in any seat you care to name and their instinct not to be ordered around by their superiors.
It's not complicated. Wanting to be PM is totally legitimate, but the rules are clear: When the chance arises you become an MP and you don't wait around during the long years only to appear at the cup final waving your divine right to the job.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
No snooker till 7 now. Fortunately I have Chelsea to laugh at.
Unless Chelsea come back that must save Forest
Yep. It's West Ham or Spurs down. Pity it can't be both.
Harsh on Hammers fans like yours truly!
Not really. You were gifted a huge, modern stadium by the taxpayer.
I thought they were renting it
They pay £4m a year which doesn't even cover operating costs. If they are relegated that will be halved. So they are paying less out than a team which owns its own stadium does.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
Moscow might be out of air defences before their parade even starts.
Given how gamified Ukraine has made this war, imagine the points and prizes available for taking the big boss out early on his home turf in public view..
According to CNN, the Kremlin has restricted Vladimir Putin’s movements to fortified bunkers and intensified security for top military commanders following reports that the former defense minister maintains enough influence to lead an elite-driven assassination or power grab.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a memorial wall in Golders Green, north London, was damaged on 27 April.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
Just got this text from my Moscow mobile operator: “During preparations for and the holding of holiday events from 5-9 May temporary restrictions to mobile internet and text messaging are possible in Moscow and Moscow region. This may cause difficulties with cashless payments, use of ATMs and GPS services.”
@chadbourn.bsky.social · 3h Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Iran: "We have absolute control of the Strait."
@chadbourn.bsky.social · 46s Iran has targeted commercial and US military vessels with cruise missiles, Reuters reports.
@bretdevereaux.bsky.social · 1m So a tanker damaged and now a 'demonstration' strike (it doesn't seem like they hit very hard) against UAE oil facilities.
I wonder who Iran's intended audience is: leverage in negotiations or an effort to demonstrate to markets that Iran owns the strait and they should price accordingly.
Either way, further evidence that the Iranian regime thinks it is winning and is trying to press its advantage, rather than seeking a swift deescalation.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
According to CNN, the Kremlin has restricted Vladimir Putin’s movements to fortified bunkers and intensified security for top military commanders following reports that the former defense minister maintains enough influence to lead an elite-driven assassination or power grab.
I guess this defence minister spends all his time on the ground floor?
According to CNN, the Kremlin has restricted Vladimir Putin’s movements to fortified bunkers and intensified security for top military commanders following reports that the former defense minister maintains enough influence to lead an elite-driven assassination or power grab.
I guess this defence minister spends all his time on the ground floor?
Russian windows are dangerous in deep coal mines. To some people.
ZELENSKYY ON A POSSIBLE MAY 9 DRONE ATTACK IN MOSCOW: Neither the U.S. nor Russia has reached out to Ukraine regarding a ceasefire, so Kyiv has no obligations. Talking about a ceasefire just so Russia can celebrate a holiday, after recent massive strikes on Ukraine and the deaths of civilians, is unfair and not serious. Ukrainians don't have any holidays.
There's a load more voters after today who now know that electing Farage means ICE-style round-ups and detention camps in various parts of England.
I think there's a ceiling to the vote that wants that Trump stuff here.
This has not been the spectacular tactical brilliance some on here think it is imho.
The worry is that they’ve uncorked the sort of American style “upsetting all the right people” nonsense that, for all our playground politics, we had up to now steered largely clear of.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a memorial wall in Golders Green, north London, was damaged on 27 April.
The memorial wall is mainly for Iranian dissidents (as well as the 7th October victims) so I'm guessing the arsonists might have taken the IRGC's shilling as a possible motivation rather than antisemitism; we may find out later. That they attacked a wall and damaged only a filing cabinet suggests plod is trying it on with "intent to endanger life".
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
There's plenty of serious green economics people that Polanski could draw on. Scott Cato was an MEP for a while as just one example.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
He’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve only listened to him at length recently.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
Tomorrow, @TexasMonthly will be dropping a ~12,000 word story on Paul Pressler, the alleged sexual predator who remade the Southern Baptist Convention and helped ordain the marriage between the GOP and white evangelical voters. There is *a lot* in there and I hope you'll read it. https://x.com/RobertDownen_/status/2051060558112162211
That's actually quite Trumpish in the manipulations, though establishment rather than robber-baron. Big wheel in the Southern Baptist, religious, and organising sector - politics, church, judge. Supplied very untransparently with "personal assistants" rather than a salary in one arrangement. Paid off a claimant with $450k hush money in 2004. Past experience of paying people off who made claims.
(He's dead, btw.)
A revealing little insight on these people. There was a stained glass window of HIM, rather than say a Saint or a bible story, in a Baptist Seminary, which was removed some years ago. They aggrandise themselves, regardless of all the "Prayer for Humility" type hymns. The window style is truly gruesome:
The Speaker of the House of Representatives had a connection of sorts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Johnson ..In August 2010, Johnson was named the "founding dean" of the newly established Pressler School of Law at Louisiana College. The law school never opened, and Johnson resigned in August 2012. Joe Aguillard, accused by a university vice president of misappropriating money and lying to the board, blamed Johnson's resignation for the law school's failure. The college soon terminated Aguillard, as it was determined he "engaged in numerous improprieties and falsities in his representations not only to school donors, but to the Board of Trustees".The parent college has since been embroiled in administrative and legal problems.
Johnson served from 2004 to 2012 on the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention..
I did not pick that up, but it's not a surprise. That's Johnson through and through. He's what Rev Spooner would call a Trumpist ducksicker.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
There's plenty of serious green economics people that Polanski could draw on. Scott Cato was an MEP for a while as just one example.
But no - seems it has to a podcaster.
Populism in action once again.
Reform and the Greens are two cheeks of the same arse as far as I am concerned.
Nigel Farage has committed prosecutable election offences with this video under the Representation of the People Act 1983.
The Act prohibits inducing voters through the threat of “temporal injury”, which includes material disadvantage such as the targeted imposition of government burdens.
Threatening to specifically house illegal migrants in a constituency if it does not vote Reform is coercive and constitutes a criminal offence.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
The trouble is that, if you're really wealthy, it's easy to replace income with 'unrealised gains' and see your wealth accumulate.
It I had £1bn in wealth I could easily structure a very safe investment portfolio that earns £50m a year (more if you want to take a bit of risk) and only take out a (relatively) modest income of let's say £500k.
So I only pay £250k pa in taxes on £50m of earnings. Or 0.5%.
I could realise those gains whenever I want to because they are all in incredibly liquid instruments with minimal transaction costs. But I don't, because I like to avoid tax.
Throw in a few offshore trusts and you can probably avoid ever paying tax on your investment gains.
It's a tough policy to crack, but I think it's fair to recognise it's a problem and shouting 'the gains aren't realised so can't be taxed' is naive at best.
In the last week, Moscow has been flooded with rumors that Putin is about to be assassinated or ousted somehow. Nothing more than rumors. But still, Putin is spooked.
One surely doesn't advertise that a Head of State is 'about to be assassinated!"
One just goes ahead and does it!
If the FSB is doing its job, they should hear about it first.
Unless they're saying they've caught the potential assassin and they'e trying to show how good they are.
I think the rumours are inevitable. Putin does seem to be keeping clear of public appearances right now but the big parade is an unavoidable public occasion. People are bound to speculate. Perhaps he could cancel the event but it's so tied up with his own personal brand. If the Russian state is busy keeping VVP rather than their oil refineries safe I'm sure the Ukrainians will be happy.
Just got this text from my Moscow mobile operator: “During preparations for and the holding of holiday events from 5-9 May temporary restrictions to mobile internet and text messaging are possible in Moscow and Moscow region. This may cause difficulties with cashless payments, use of ATMs and GPS services.”
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
The trouble is that, if you're really wealthy, it's easy to replace income with 'unrealised gains' and see your wealth accumulate.
It I had £1bn in wealth I could easily structure a very safe investment portfolio that earns £50m a year (more if you want to take a bit of risk) and only take out a (relatively) modest income of let's say £500k.
So I only pay £250k pa in taxes on £50m of earnings. Or 0.5%.
I could realise those gains whenever I want to because they are all in incredibly liquid instruments with minimal transaction costs. But I don't, because I like to avoid tax.
Throw in a few offshore trusts and you can probably avoid ever paying tax on your investment gains.
It's a tough policy to crack, but I think it's fair to recognise it's a problem and shouting 'the gains aren't realised so can't be taxed' is naive at best.
But to even call them earnings is misleading. If the stock market crashed tomorrow that money would “disappear” - it never existed.
I don’t see how choosing to invest in something safe and then not realising the gain can ever really be stopped. Do we set some arbitrary cap that if your unrealised gains hit some level suddenly they’re liable for tax? What if the gains then all disappear, do you get the money back?
And why not just setup an account abroad where you won’t have this problem?
1. It's a massive dead cat to distract from Farage's five mil, and it's working
2. It's designed to annoy all the right noisy people, and it's working (see point 1)
and
3. It ensures the objectors must say why having a migrant camp in your nice liberal Green-voting area is suddenly so bad, rather than just dumping them in the poorest parts of the country, for the white working classes to deal with, which is what we have done until now
I agree with @Leon on the politics of this, though I have not been watching the reactions over a BH weekend.
It's a dead cat - and a claimed policy for 2029 aimed at the local election because anyone who believes a word of it will be pushed towards doing what Farage wants.
A good response would have perhaps been to point out that Farage is a bullshit-artist to his bones, then pivot straight to His Master's Voice from Thailand, and Farage now being owned by an oligarch whilst hiding it.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
He’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve only listened to him at length recently.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
At length?
It took less than two minutes to discover that he doesn’t understand the difference between capital asset values and personal employment income, before anything about trusts.
There’s genuine leftwing arguments to be made about higher asset taxes, but this guy isn’t one to make them.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
He’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve only listened to him at length recently.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
At length?
It took less than two minutes to discover that he doesn’t understand the difference between capital asset values and personal employment income, before anything about trusts.
There’s genuine leftwing arguments to be made about higher asset taxes, but this guy isn’t one to make them.
I watched him on a podcast. I’d only heard tiny 5 second clips about “tax the rich” before.
@chadbourn.bsky.social · 3h Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Iran: "We have absolute control of the Strait."
@chadbourn.bsky.social · 46s Iran has targeted commercial and US military vessels with cruise missiles, Reuters reports.
@bretdevereaux.bsky.social · 1m So a tanker damaged and now a 'demonstration' strike (it doesn't seem like they hit very hard) against UAE oil facilities.
I wonder who Iran's intended audience is: leverage in negotiations or an effort to demonstrate to markets that Iran owns the strait and they should price accordingly.
Either way, further evidence that the Iranian regime thinks it is winning and is trying to press its advantage, rather than seeking a swift deescalation.
There's been a lot of speculation about the US being on the point of breaking the ceasefire. This may be Iran preempting the break.
Tyler difference this time Iran can't close Hormuz any more than it is already.
Just got this text from my Moscow mobile operator: “During preparations for and the holding of holiday events from 5-9 May temporary restrictions to mobile internet and text messaging are possible in Moscow and Moscow region. This may cause difficulties with cashless payments, use of ATMs and GPS services.”
Presumably to disrupt drone navigation.
Yes, except that the long-range Ukrainian drones now have Starlink, and for all his faults Elon’s been absolutely brilliant in denying this to the Russians.
After Scott Bessent earlier urged China to help the U.S. open the Strait of Hormuz, despite claiming the U.S. had "absolute control" over the Strait, Trump is now asking South Korea to help.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
He’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve only listened to him at length recently.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
At length?
It took less than two minutes to discover that he doesn’t understand the difference between capital asset values and personal employment income, before anything about trusts.
There’s genuine leftwing arguments to be made about higher asset taxes, but this guy isn’t one to make them.
I watched him on a podcast. I’d only heard tiny 5 second clips about “tax the rich” before.
He really does seem to think that Elon Musk is swimming in a pile of gold like Scrooge McDuck, with ‘wealth’ being a zero-sum game, as opposed to the serial entrepreneur who’s built more than half a dozen business from nothing, generating massive amounts of GDP and ‘wealth’ for others, as well as generating massive tax revenues from selling useful products.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
He’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve only listened to him at length recently.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
At length?
It took less than two minutes to discover that he doesn’t understand the difference between capital asset values and personal employment income, before anything about trusts.
There’s genuine leftwing arguments to be made about higher asset taxes, but this guy isn’t one to make them.
I watched him on a podcast. I’d only heard tiny 5 second clips about “tax the rich” before.
He really does seem to think that Elon Musk is swimming in a pile of gold like Scrooge McDuck, with ‘wealth’ being a zero-sum game, as opposed to the serial entrepreneur who’s built more than half a dozen business from nothing and generated massive amounts of GDP and ‘wealth’ for others.
I agree with you in principle but Musk is a nasty individual and a bad choice to have used.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
He’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve only listened to him at length recently.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
The trouble is that, if you're really wealthy, it's easy to replace income with 'unrealised gains' and see your wealth accumulate.
It I had £1bn in wealth I could easily structure a very safe investment portfolio that earns £50m a year (more if you want to take a bit of risk) and only take out a (relatively) modest income of let's say £500k.
So I only pay £250k pa in taxes on £50m of earnings. Or 0.5%.
I could realise those gains whenever I want to because they are all in incredibly liquid instruments with minimal transaction costs. But I don't, because I like to avoid tax.
Throw in a few offshore trusts and you can probably avoid ever paying tax on your investment gains.
It's a tough policy to crack, but I think it's fair to recognise it's a problem and shouting 'the gains aren't realised so can't be taxed' is naive at best.
The test has to be is the gain realisable or is it locked away. Hence investments in companies and property aren't subject to capital gains tax on demand but money market profits would be.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
I like him. I understand the comments from those on here about him not understanding financial subtleties, and from a betting POV he's too trustingly faithful in betting markets. But his prescription ("tax wealth not work") appeals and yes, I understand there's a problem with that but as I keep saying existing ideology has stopped working so we need to try something new. Or do you think setting up internment camps in Camden is a good idea? We are run by an idiot who thinks Britain's not broken and that all that was necessary was to obey the law nicely, and Starmer has pissed away a landslide majority. The status quo is not working, so heterodox policies must be considered.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
He’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve only listened to him at length recently.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
At length?
It took less than two minutes to discover that he doesn’t understand the difference between capital asset values and personal employment income, before anything about trusts.
There’s genuine leftwing arguments to be made about higher asset taxes, but this guy isn’t one to make them.
I watched him on a podcast. I’d only heard tiny 5 second clips about “tax the rich” before.
He really does seem to think that Elon Musk is swimming in a pile of gold like Scrooge McDuck, with ‘wealth’ being a zero-sum game, as opposed to the serial entrepreneur who’s built more than half a dozen business from nothing and generated massive amounts of GDP and ‘wealth’ for others.
I agree with you in principle but Musk is a nasty individual and a bad choice to have used.
Musk is possibly the best example, because he switched his politics after the American left went insane.
The biggest cultural turning point in recent years was when Elon bought Twitter.
After Scott Bessent earlier urged China to help the U.S. open the Strait of Hormuz, despite claiming the U.S. had "absolute control" over the Strait, Trump is now asking South Korea to help.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
The trouble is that, if you're really wealthy, it's easy to replace income with 'unrealised gains' and see your wealth accumulate.
It I had £1bn in wealth I could easily structure a very safe investment portfolio that earns £50m a year (more if you want to take a bit of risk) and only take out a (relatively) modest income of let's say £500k.
So I only pay £250k pa in taxes on £50m of earnings. Or 0.5%.
I could realise those gains whenever I want to because they are all in incredibly liquid instruments with minimal transaction costs. But I don't, because I like to avoid tax.
Throw in a few offshore trusts and you can probably avoid ever paying tax on your investment gains.
It's a tough policy to crack, but I think it's fair to recognise it's a problem and shouting 'the gains aren't realised so can't be taxed' is naive at best.
The test has to be is the gain realisable or is it locked away. Hence investments in companies and property aren't subject to capital gains tax on demand but money market profits would be.
I broadly agree, but is that currently the case?
I'm no expert, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't currently a perfectly legal loophole that enables people to accumulate wealth through money market type investments without paying tax on profit. Find a company that all it does is money market fund investments, for example.
Or for people who invest in proper companies, find a way to avoid paying capital gains when they eventually sell (or die and pass on as inheritance).
Personally I'd go down the wealth tax route: tax a percentage of wealth regardless of how you got it. But for it to work on financial assets, we need the US to join or else all companies will just decamp to there.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
He’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve only listened to him at length recently.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
At length?
It took less than two minutes to discover that he doesn’t understand the difference between capital asset values and personal employment income, before anything about trusts.
There’s genuine leftwing arguments to be made about higher asset taxes, but this guy isn’t one to make them.
I watched him on a podcast. I’d only heard tiny 5 second clips about “tax the rich” before.
He really does seem to think that Elon Musk is swimming in a pile of gold like Scrooge McDuck, with ‘wealth’ being a zero-sum game, as opposed to the serial entrepreneur who’s built more than half a dozen business from nothing and generated massive amounts of GDP and ‘wealth’ for others.
I agree with you in principle but Musk is a nasty individual and a bad choice to have used.
Musk is possibly the best example, because he switched his politics after the American left went insane.
The biggest cultural turning point in recent years was when Elon bought Twitter.
Do you think he’s a nasty individual or not?
Some of the dealings he had at PayPal would suggest that he is.
I hate to use this phrase but if the Green economic platform is being advised by Gary Stephenson then they must be thick.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
I’d never heard of this guy before today, but he seems to be a parody or playing a character. There’s no way he actually worked in the City while being so uninformed about very basic economics.
He’s been on my radar for a while but I’ve only listened to him at length recently.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
At length?
It took less than two minutes to discover that he doesn’t understand the difference between capital asset values and personal employment income, before anything about trusts.
There’s genuine leftwing arguments to be made about higher asset taxes, but this guy isn’t one to make them.
I watched him on a podcast. I’d only heard tiny 5 second clips about “tax the rich” before.
He really does seem to think that Elon Musk is swimming in a pile of gold like Scrooge McDuck, with ‘wealth’ being a zero-sum game, as opposed to the serial entrepreneur who’s built more than half a dozen business from nothing and generated massive amounts of GDP and ‘wealth’ for others.
I agree with you in principle but Musk is a nasty individual and a bad choice to have used.
Musk is possibly the best example, because he switched his politics after the American left went insane.
The biggest cultural turning point in recent years was when Elon bought Twitter.
Do you think he’s a nasty individual or not?
Some of the dealings he had at PayPal would suggest that he is.
I wouldn’t describe him as ‘nasty’, especially not based on comments from two decades ago, but accept that he’s a divisive character because of his endorsement of, and work for, the current US president.
Comments
Being 10 steps away from being PM is just Bad Facts (TM). Feelings are more important.
I must say I am *shocked* at how many of the highly ‘virtuous and kind’ left wing media and establishment politicians have revealed they view living near asylum seekers is a “punishment”.
Whoever would have thought!
Fortunately I have Chelsea to laugh at.
This is a very striking poll in the US.
https://x.com/FrankLuntz/status/2049969268696232341
55% think their financial situation is getting worse.
Poor trolling. Try harder.
5 and a half games without a goal is incredible
Pity it can't be both.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1529vgdvlgo
But how is their current positioning winning over anyone else who wasn’t already on their team?
It’s all a bit Corbyn 2019 where they just kept doubling down on things that people who were already well in their camp liked but at the extent of any other voters.
All of this seems a touch illusory anyway as like I’ve said, Keir Starmer won’t be leading Labour at the next election.
You were gifted a huge, modern stadium by the taxpayer.
Is Reform worried about their right flank?
The Metropolitan Police said a 46-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman were arrested on Monday morning... in Romford
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9v3kvjxr4mo
But yes- Rupert Spode is right (if revolting); if you are really serious about deporting huge numbers of people at minimal cost, you don't put the camps where you concentrate people before deporting them in the sort of city-centre constituencies and council areas likely to vote Green.
Poor Zia. Someday he may become a real politician.
https://x.com/aviationbrk/status/2051323031562199188
UAE Ministry of Defence confirms Iran fired 4 loitering munitions, three intercepted over territorial waters. One fell into the sea. No impacts on land.
It's not complicated. Wanting to be PM is totally legitimate, but the rules are clear: When the chance arises you become an MP and you don't wait around during the long years only to appear at the cup final waving your divine right to the job.
Warship taken out of service, despite a £103m refit designed to extend its lifespan to 2028
...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/04/royal-navy-five-frigates-hms-iron-duke-withdrawn/ (£££)
Pretty much job done?
https://x.com/wartranslated/status/2051320491118330045
Moscow might be out of air defences before their parade even starts.
If they are relegated that will be halved.
So they are paying less out than a team which owns its own stadium does.
https://x.com/united24media/status/2051215846370914352
According to CNN, the Kremlin has restricted Vladimir Putin’s movements to fortified bunkers and intensified security for top military commanders following reports that the former defense minister maintains enough influence to lead an elite-driven assassination or power grab.
https://x.com/Mr_Andrew_Fox/status/2051245576977588607
Just got this text from my Moscow mobile operator: “During preparations for and the holding of holiday events from 5-9 May temporary restrictions to mobile internet and text messaging are possible in Moscow and Moscow region. This may cause difficulties with cashless payments, use of ATMs and GPS services.”
https://x.com/charliebilello/status/2051303993515577730
· 3h
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Iran: "We have absolute control of the Strait."
@chadbourn.bsky.social
· 46s
Iran has targeted commercial and US military vessels with cruise missiles, Reuters reports.
@bretdevereaux.bsky.social
· 1m
So a tanker damaged and now a 'demonstration' strike (it doesn't seem like they hit very hard) against UAE oil facilities.
I wonder who Iran's intended audience is: leverage in negotiations or an effort to demonstrate to markets that Iran owns the strait and they should price accordingly.
Either way, further evidence that the Iranian regime thinks it is winning and is trying to press its advantage, rather than seeking a swift deescalation.
(Now there's a really subtle pun!)
I think there's a ceiling to the vote that wants that Trump stuff here.
This has not been the spectacular tactical brilliance some on here think it is imho.
ZELENSKYY ON A POSSIBLE MAY 9 DRONE ATTACK IN MOSCOW: Neither the U.S. nor Russia has reached out to Ukraine regarding a ceasefire, so Kyiv has no obligations. Talking about a ceasefire just so Russia can celebrate a holiday, after recent massive strikes on Ukraine and the deaths of civilians, is unfair and not serious. Ukrainians don't have any holidays.
I'll try to introduce some emergency fish pun opportunities.
Gary doesn’t seem to understand the difference between unrealised gains and income that’s going into my bank account every month. He seeks to think they are the same thing.
@JLPartnersPolls
NEW: How many people really know who the UK party leaders are?
We ran a representative poll of 5,000 British adults and showed them pictures of the main party leaders and asked them to identify them.
Starmer and Farage top the poll, while only 12% know Rupert Lowe
https://x.com/JLPartnersPolls/status/2051336931556946056
===
I'm impressed that he gets 12% to be honest. There are more political nerds out there than we thought!
Wales is having big changes.
Time for some fish puns.
No, I don't see the link there if I'm honest.
Are you feeling a bit low a lost sole?
But no - seems it has to a podcaster.
Populism in action once again.
It becomes very clear very quickly that he doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about.
He didn’t seem to be aware that trusts do pay taxes. I think he honestly believed they were completely free of taxes (in which case, why isn’t he being one?), even though they do.
All his ideas seem to be that there’s plenty of money to tax just for some inconceivable reason nobody has thought to do it before.
I guess some people lap this stuff up but put your critical thinking hat on and it quickly goes up in smoke.
@SamCKx
Nigel Farage has committed prosecutable election offences with this video under the Representation of the People Act 1983.
The Act prohibits inducing voters through the threat of “temporal injury”, which includes material disadvantage such as the targeted imposition of government burdens.
Threatening to specifically house illegal migrants in a constituency if it does not vote Reform is coercive and constitutes a criminal offence.
https://x.com/SamCKx/status/2051302089083556051
===
Dunno if this is true but doubt the electoral commission will do anything if it is.
It I had £1bn in wealth I could easily structure a very safe investment portfolio that earns £50m a year (more if you want to take a bit of risk) and only take out a (relatively) modest income of let's say £500k.
So I only pay £250k pa in taxes on £50m of earnings. Or 0.5%.
I could realise those gains whenever I want to because they are all in incredibly liquid instruments with minimal transaction costs. But I don't, because I like to avoid tax.
Throw in a few offshore trusts and you can probably avoid ever paying tax on your investment gains.
It's a tough policy to crack, but I think it's fair to recognise it's a problem and shouting 'the gains aren't realised so can't be taxed' is naive at best.
I don’t see how choosing to invest in something safe and then not realising the gain can ever really be stopped. Do we set some arbitrary cap that if your unrealised gains hit some level suddenly they’re liable for tax? What if the gains then all disappear, do you get the money back?
And why not just setup an account abroad where you won’t have this problem?
It's a dead cat - and a claimed policy for 2029 aimed at the local election because anyone who believes a word of it will be pushed towards doing what Farage wants.
A good response would have perhaps been to point out that Farage is a bullshit-artist to his bones, then pivot straight to His Master's Voice from Thailand, and Farage now being owned by an oligarch whilst hiding it.
Trump says it doesn't count
It took less than two minutes to discover that he doesn’t understand the difference between capital asset values and personal employment income, before anything about trusts.
There’s genuine leftwing arguments to be made about higher asset taxes, but this guy isn’t one to make them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cZgyRXTtNw
2½-minute run-through from Tony Travers & the Standard.
Tyler difference this time Iran can't close Hormuz any more than it is already.
After Scott Bessent earlier urged China to help the U.S. open the Strait of Hormuz, despite claiming the U.S. had "absolute control" over the Strait, Trump is now asking South Korea to help.
https://bsky.app/profile/meidastouch.com/post/3ml277wz6w22a
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Stevenson_(campaigner)
The biggest cultural turning point in recent years was when Elon bought Twitter.
I'm no expert, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't currently a perfectly legal loophole that enables people to accumulate wealth through money market type investments without paying tax on profit. Find a company that all it does is money market fund investments, for example.
Or for people who invest in proper companies, find a way to avoid paying capital gains when they eventually sell (or die and pass on as inheritance).
Personally I'd go down the wealth tax route: tax a percentage of wealth regardless of how you got it. But for it to work on financial assets, we need the US to join or else all companies will just decamp to there.
https://x.com/jakewsimons/status/2051346428622983517
Some of the dealings he had at PayPal would suggest that he is.
Labour government 97-2010, Tory government 2010-2024.
No Frigates ordered from 1996 to 2017.
Just the deputy leader of the Greens repeating falsehoods