Does anyone believe Nadhim Zahawi?

I find it extremely strange that the super rich never carelessly over pay taxes only the other way round!

If the Tories have not been able to stimulate economic growth over their 13 years in power I doubt they can do it now despite Hunt's talking up growth: mostly blah blah, I think. Under Blair growth was significantly higher.

Katie59 might be that Conservatives have two split camps ideologically? I don’t know. The problem is that there’s a disconnect in government between voters and ministers. For example energy bills are huge, here it’s gone from £188 to £550 or so a month so Sunak might believe he has helped with energy bills but the better help is not with a small rebate.
Although I take your point that with a strong majority, the Parliamentary party will see it through… and no where else to go.
Industrial development if in terms of bioscience with engineering, start ups, is already happening in England so definitely growth potential for really smart scientists. No one else need apply!

ronib

Katie59 well it will be interesting to see what happens if there’s a poor result in May.

My friend is adamant that NZ should go.

They will do badly in May, then carry on regardless, there is nowhere else to go, Sunak thinks they have been generous in response to energy crisis, that will end. If there are any changes in policy it will be Industrial Development which is sadly lacking.

Katie59 well it will be interesting to see what happens if there’s a poor result in May.

My friend is adamant that NZ should go.

ronib

I know this sounds old fashioned but some Conservatives are very disappointed with the way politics is heading. It won’t be easy for them in May local elections.

Yes, they are lone voices in the wind and not likely to rock the Tory boat.

I know this sounds old fashioned but some Conservatives are very disappointed with the way politics is heading. It won’t be easy for them in May local elections.

Callistemon21

I know someone in the 'top team' and, although we have our differences! I could never describe him as sleazy.

But is he wheezy?

I know someone in the 'top team' and, although we have our differences! I could never describe him as sleazy.

Callistemon21

Well, I'm sure there are some decent Conservative MPs.
There are certainly some sleazy Labour MPs too.

Let's be fair here.

Some hard working, conscientious Conservative local councillors are furious about their party … completely disgusted. There are some good people at local level of all political parties… it’s just the top team that’s floundering!

Sleazy and Wheazy

Well, I'm sure there are some decent Conservative MPs.
There are certainly some sleazy Labour MPs too.

Let's be fair here.

What are the two Conservative camps? - Sleazy and even more sleazy?

It’s possible that some Conservative party members are disgusted (in their words) over events since 2019. Boris Johnson set the bar too low and it’s sleaze and wheeze all the way .

The conservatives are split in to at least two camps we think. Not the best start for Rishi Sunak!

I'll bet he is!! Got himself in on a no sleaze ticket which has been shown to be rubbish. Egg all over his face.

Grantanow

Sunak is reported to be 'livid' about the whole sorry affair.

Well he would be. His wife tried to avoid tax by claiming 'non-dom'. Said they were going back to India but he was born here. They are all up to something, the more they have the more they want, greedy gits

Dinahmo

According to a retired HMRC investigator (40 years in service) Zahawi's was for deliberate and concealed, not an error.

Apparently civil servants in the Cabinet Office alerted BJ to a flag over Zahawi's affairs before he was appointed Chancellor. Johnson chose to ignore it.

Link to the article about Zahawi's finances below. It's 6 months old but still relevant.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/09/revealed-officials-raised-flag-over-nadim-zahawis-tax-affairs-before-he-was-appointed-chancellor

Zahawi came to the UK aged 9 and not speaking a word of English. He was educated in the UK at the taxpayers' expense and this is how he treats the country. He should be ashamed but somehow I doubt that he will be.

He is a cf'er. Ordinary people don't get £millions mixed up. He was trying to avoid tax, JMHO

Interesting article here - no idea if it's accurate

www.sarawakreport.org/2023/01/uk-foreign-sec-spoke-not-so-cleverly-about-his-dodgy-tory-chairman-expose/

I’ve just been pondering on whether Zahawi is controlled, to a certain extent, by his father? I’m only saying that because from listening to Rory Stewart it sounds as if all he’s ever wanted to do is ride horses, hence the stables etc. The whole family seem steeped in international finance and dealings in the oil trade etc and it must suit them to have someone having a high profile political position. And we have yet another politician whose family seeked refuge here and yet are totally opposed to others doing the same. Something else that was mentioned on TRIP’s is that all these politicians are being brought down by dodgy dealings and yet Johnson’s fans still choose to ignore his misdemeanours.

Whitewavemark2 Zahawi is a major mover and shaker in the oil business. Seems likely to me that it suits Zahawi’s business profile to have a major role in UK government. Sadly the benefits don’t swing both ways!

More questions being asked about Zahawi and Zahawi - a company set up by mr and Mrs.

There the question of £60 million unexplained “gift”

ronib

I have just been reminded that historically Inland Revenue would invite politicians and their spouses to review their tax returns.

This invitation was not extended to other mortals. My feeling is that politicians have always had preferential tax treatment which doubtless would have annoyed individual tax inspector who were obliged to stay silent.

Nothing new it seems.

It’s not that long ago that you could go to your local tax office and they would help you fill in your tax declaration. Now everything is online, if you make an obvious mistake or it is greatly different from years before, the system will flag it up and they will query the tax return.
Unfortunately that does not pick up omitted transactions and can be several years before they are revealed.

Richard North writing in Turbulent Times online today is worth reading.

It just got extremely complicated.

Inspectors

I have just been reminded that historically Inland Revenue would invite politicians and their spouses to review their tax returns.

This invitation was not extended to other mortals. My feeling is that politicians have always had preferential tax treatment which doubtless would have annoyed individual tax inspector who were obliged to stay silent.

Nothing new it seems.