Artful Dodger

Rational people realised long ago that the Tory mantra, “We are all in this together,” is so much hogwash. For those unable to read the text on the advert (below), which appeared in several national papers yesterday, it made three key points:

1. Tax dodging costs the UK £120 billion every year.
2. George Osborne could do something about this but instead keeps dodging the issue.
3. Osborne has benefitted to the tune of £1.4 million in tax dodging himself!

A  related article in the Independent made several points. 

“The ad, which ran in several national papers to coincide with the 2.5 per cent rise in VAT, was the work of 38 Degrees, an online protest group that has dedicated itself to causing trouble for the establishment since its formation in 2009.

"There are hundreds of thousands of people in the UK who care about progressive issues who are not connected with traditional political organisations," said David Babbs, its executive director. "They are not apathetic – they want to take action. What we're trying to do is link all those people together."

Since forming in the midst of the MPs' expenses scandal, the group has attempted to replicate the success of organisations such as MoveOn.org in the United States, which has successfully managed to channel frustration into a coherent, political pressure group.

38 Degrees was launched with the help of a donation from Gordon Roddick, the widower of the Body Shop founder and political campaigner, Anita Roddick. Since then, it has attracted more than 250,000 members.

In the spirit of handing power back to the people, its decision to target the Chancellor was made after a vote of its members.” Independent 4/1/11

Power to the people? Heaven forfend. How on earth would our political class line their pockets?