Surprise, Surprise Ashcroft is a Non-Dom

So Lord Ashcroft the Tories biggest donor is "non-domiciled" in the UK for tax purposes. The biggest non-secret in Westminster for years has finally be admitted.

 

However, with David Cameron claiming that he wants to clean up politics is Lord Ashcroft going to become resident and domiciled as Cameron expects all peers in the Lords to be?

 

Well....not yet, the Tories biggest donor, having given at least £4 million in recent years, is going to wait until a change in the law makes him do so.

 

So I guess it isn't going to be Lord Ashcroft's 'patriot duty' to pay his full share of UK tax until such time David Cameron or some other UK Prime Minister manages to get that requirement unto the statute book.

 

Of course the Tories have been saying yes he is, no he isn't over recent months when the pressure has been on for transparency over the status of those who donate to political parties. If David Cameron really wants to clean up politics he should have started with those that either represent him or want to. Zac Goldsmith PPC for Richmond Park has only recently announced that he will be changing his non-dom tax status. It is not clear whether he has yet done this despite being urged by Cameron to do so 'as soon as possible' at the end of November.

 

It all very well saying it is a year for change and that you are cleaning up politics Dave but can we see a little less conversation, with notes or without, and a little more action please.

 

This post has been sent via email therefore spacing and fonts may not appear at my usual standard. Also there may be links to other relevant blog entries or other content added later today along with adding the correct tagging.