Paradise Papers

Hummmm- promises to drain the swamp don’t have a good track record do they?

Could you imagine though if ER took a lead%? That would be a powerful message - a promise to only invest in the UK and only in ethical companies?

? you could say I’m a dreamer.....??

Oh for someone in Westminster who would promise to drain the swamp. The greed, self interest and abuse of public money is appalling, not to mention the sleazy behaviour.

These tax dodges are legal, and no party seems willing to close the loopholes because they and their friends take full advantage.

And the rich are in positions of power (in a whole variety of nefarious ways) to make sure that laws protect their interests.

The rich are rich, not because they work harder or know more but because their ancestors were more violent and they don't care how they get money.

Once you get your head around that, you can either live with yourself more easily or start making real money.

Bright house is owned by one of the offshore companies ER invests in. Without the leaks no one ever knows who invests in what and which companies are owned by which companies which are owned by which companies ad infinitum. Apart from the various shady tax deals such arrangements hide, money laundering on a vast scale is facilitated by these arrangements and the money of dictators, terroists, gun runners, drug dealers etc hidden from view. IMO I think all that is much worse than the tax cheating. Anyone who plays ‘little innocent’ with their participation in off shore funds should know damn well what these funds are also if not primarily about.

Brighthouse charges up to 90% interest to its customers who never actually own it's products but seem to rent them.
Anyone even remotely involved should be brought to account, but that is small beer compared to some of the off shore companies and their methods.
I was brought up with a saying "much wants more" never truer than than the companies and individuals in this report.

‘Lord’ Ashcroft has been known about for years - his title is a disgraceful joke. As for the queen, she should be investing in the UK and be wise enough to have laid down rules years ago about ethical investment strategies to her financial advisers. Investing in Bright House? You should be ashamed of yourself ER. Your position is justified in terms of your wisdom and leadership - show some and tell us you are going to have all your investment decisions reviewed by an ethical investment company.

I agree it's absolutely shameful-that unpaid tax would make such a difference to our nation's income and, presumably, "austerity" wouldn't be needed.
DH all his life loves sport, played when he could for years. Has supported a local football club since a lad. It makes me so cross to think, these days, football has little to do with the sport but these greedy types just making money out of fans. Stanley Mathews was paid a pittance. IMHO all footballers should return to a "normal" wage (personally I've pay them minimum wage!) and return ticket prices to what ordinary fans can pay.

The irony about this for me, apart from the morality is, that those with most can ensure they have more, whereas those with least are having even more taken away from them, to support those with most.

Therein lies the foundation for civil unrest.

I agree with morethan2. Of course they all know where their money is invested, including the queen.

Snouts and troughs come to mind. What ever their excuses it’s immoral. I’m just listening to the queen being defending because it’s not her fault it’s her advisors. Don’t make me laugh or insult my intelligence (what bit I’ve got) She strikes me as a very astute women. There’s no way she wouldn’t know were her money was invested. Much better to stand up and admit it. Lies and excuses will just compound the situation. Honestly who can we trust and respect. The list is getting smaller. Power and wealth corrupts.

Exactly kittylester .

It might not be illegal but there is a big question around morality. It is plain greed from people who have enough as it is.

I do wish interviewers/investigators wouldn’t chase after their targets with a microphone when they know full well they’re not going to get an answer. Other then that, it was an interesting programme. I’m not at all surprised at the convoluted dealings in football club management but somehow expected better from Lord Whatshisname and Her Madge. Legal it may be but not a good example.

It seems that HM is at it herself

These papers expose the difference between what is legal and what is moral. The tax avoidance revealed is apparently (mostly) legal, but highly dubious and immoral in my opinion. However, when the super-rich are also the drivers behind the laws that allow these loopholes then governments need to be challenged.