The photograph below is taken at Independent Councillor Claire Wright’s demonstration on fat cat tax avoidance outside (on the public pavement) the Sidmouth Conservative Club, which until recently had a rather scruffy and spider-infested pic of Hugo Swire on its notice board.

Apparently, a person from the club insisted that it is “non political” though it appears in a list of Conservative member clubs

http://www.toryclubs.co.uk/page/website-linkup

and was keen to persuade the protesters to move away from the vicinity of the club when they protested last week.

For Mr Swire’s views on tax evasion and avoidance (which he appears to confuse) see here:

http://www.hugoswire.org.uk/news/blog-tax-evasion-and-avoidance

where he states:

“” … Even though companies may avoid paying tax on their profits, they do contribute to the public purse in other ways. Their employees will pay Income Tax and National Insurance, as well as any additional taxes they may occur. In the UK – when you add up VAT, business rates, national insurance contributions, and so on – about 30% of tax revenues come from businesses, of which only eight per cent comes from corporation tax. …”

So, that’s ok then. As long as WE pay our 20-40 % taxes and pay 20% VAT when we spend what’s left, the mega-companies that employ us (which should pay 20% corporation tax) can happily 3-4% max! If we tried that we would be given hefty fines or prison sentences!

Reminds Owl of tales of the old British Empire where, in Africa, people got paid by mine companies – and could only spend the money in mine company owned shops!