Hemsley and Sunak
Which of us can ever forget the famous quote from Leona Helmsley “Only the little people pay taxes.”
Bad enough in a multi millionaire hotelier but even the hint of such an attitude from a senior politician is or should be a death sentence.
That is why the Chancellor is in such big trouble, he can row back as fast as he wants and pay as much tax in the UK as he can manage but it will never be enough.
Neither he nor his wife broke any laws, but when the laws are so weak and he is charge of them that doesn’t matter.
The really shocking thing is neither of them thought, “this may be legal but is it fair?” Or “I must make my contributions to society “or even at the very very least “this might look bad. “
His defenders, and there are some, have been pursuing the line that “no one pays more taxes than they have to”.
A defence so tone death, patronising and arrogant that one can only hope they continue. Nothing keeps a story going like, “you’d do it too if your were a millionaire but you’re not.”
The little people HAVE to pay their taxes, the government insists they do.
Choice as Ms Helmsley knew is only for the rich.
The Chancellor had a choice, he choose badly.
Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.