All in this together - my arse

Anyone believing the coalition mantra that, 'we are all in this together' needs to take a reality check. Judge the government by their deeds not their words. Appointing Sir Philip Green, a well known tax evader, to examine ways the government can save money was one piece of evidence. Question: Do government departments pay taxes? Government employees do. Perhaps that is where Mr Slimy can be very helpful, showing them how to slither off with their money into a safe tax haven - legally of course.

And then one more tale from the netherworld emerged yesterday. Another prime scumbag arose as a tax avoider. So what? Well what was instructive about this particular scumbag is that he was earmarked to become the next Treasurer of the Conservative Party. Yes. Treasurer. Of the Conservative Party. As the Guardian reported, "David Cameron was embarrassed this afternoon when the multimillionaire property magnate set to become the new Conservative party treasurer quit before even taking up his post, as the coalition government's relationships with high-profile businessmen came under increasing scrutiny."

Conservative central office put out a press release saying that David Rowland would not be taking up the role raising funds for the party "due to the expansion of his global business interests".

Since its announcement in June, Rowland's appointment has been dogged by criticism over his former status as a tax exile. After he made a £1m donation to the Tory party last year, it emerged that Rowland had lived in Guernsey for tax purposes but returned to full UK residency to be able to donate to the party legally.

"Due to the expansion of his global business interests, David Rowland has decided not to take up his planned role as treasurer of the Conservative party," the statement read. It quoted Rowland as saying: "I was honoured to be asked to become treasurer. Unfortunately my developing business interests mean I will not have the time to give that role the focus and attention it deserves."

Rowland is a property magnate who, with his son Jonathan, is estimated to be worth £730m, making them, it is said, the 25th richest people in Britain. In the 12 months before this year's election he gave £2.7m to the party."

Happy to give millions to the Tories but not to the country. What a role model. And what an insight into the way our so-called betters regard tax avoidance.

What is the first rule of tax avoidance? Do not get found out.