Blackspurn

Mass Debate in Europe

José Manuel Barroso and Margot Wallström request the pleasure of your company to Mass Debate in Europe

"Welcome to 'Debate Europe', our website for the wide debate on the future of the European Union. This website is our invitation to you to discuss with us your ideas, hopes and worries for Europe's future. With this site, we want to make contact with you and listen to what you think and propose".

Cum on, lets all pull together.... The following is my two penny worth.

Subject: RE: Example problem with European insitutions

According to Article 17 (8) ECT and Article 1–10 of the proposed EU constitution, every person holding the nationality of a Member State is a citizen of the Union. Nationality is defined according to the national laws of that State. Citizenship of the Union is complementary to national citizenship and comprises a number of rights and duties in addition to those stemming from citizenship of a Member State.

The above is a direct contradiction to the principles of the preamble of CETS 43 Convention of on the Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality where it states: (Considering that cases of multiple nationality are liable to cause difficulties and that joint action to reduce as far as possible the number of cases of multiple nationality, as between member States, corresponds to the aims of the Council of Europe;) Britain is a signatory to this convention and has been since 1971.

It is also a contradiction to the principles of ETS No 166 European Convention on Nationality, Entry into force: 1 March 2000.

In the Preamble (ETS 166) it clearly states: 'Recognising that, in matters concerning nationality, account should be taken both of the legitimate interests of States and those of individuals;' It goes on to say 'Desiring to avoid discrimination in matters relating to nationality;' and it further states, that it is aware of the right to protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; (the UK is not a signatory but other EU states are)

According to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Article 31 General rule of interpretation

1. A treaty shall be interpreted in good faith in accordance with the ordinary meaning to be given to the terms of the treaty in their context and in the light of its object and purpose.

2. The context for the purpose of the interpretation of a treaty shall comprise, in addition to the text, including its preamble and annexes:

Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Article 53 Treaties conflicting with a peremptory norm of general international law (jus cogens)

A treaty is void if, at the time of its conclusion, it conflicts with a peremptory norm of general international law. For the purposes of the present Convention, a peremptory norm of general international law is a norm accepted and recognised by the international community of States as a whole as a norm from which no derogation is permitted and which can be modified only by a subsequent norm of general international law having the same character.

CETS 43 was signed by the UK in 1971 before the UK joined the EU, therefore the Maastricht, Amsterdam, Nice and the proposed Constitutional Treaties, conflict with a peremptory norm of general international law.

As the European Union is even now only an association* of sovereign nation states and is not in itself a State, much as it might like to pretend otherwise. Under international law, it is impossible to be the citizen of a non-state. The notion of dual citizenship, implied under the new constitution and Article 17 (8) ECT is nonsense and the imposition of EU citizenship upon me is therefore in breach of article 11 Human Rights Act 1998 as defined by (Young, James & Webster v. United Kingdom ECHR 1981)

The negative freedom of association, by contrast, aims at protecting the individual against being grouped together with other individuals with whom he does not agree or for purposes which he does not approve. It tends to protect him from being identified with convictions, endeavours or attitudes which he does not share and thus to defend the intimate sphere of the personality. In addition, it may serve the purpose of protecting the individual against misuse of power by an association and against being manipulated by its leaders. However strongly such protection of the individual may sometimes be needed, it is neither in logic nor by necessary implication part of the positive freedom of association.

It is also a clear breach of Article 20 (2) of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Article 20. (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

How do you explain this fundamental contradiction?

If you want to renounce your EU Citizenship then you can do it by writing to the government. There is a template here and there is an alternative route via the UN 1503 procedure here
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His world, your oyster

Introduced in 2003, Oyster Card rely on radio frequency identification (RIFD) technology embedded in silicon chips and antennas which transmit information to a receiver, for example in a barrier at a tube station.



But what prevents the State from deploying RIFD technology at the entrance and exit of each building or street.

Is RIFID technology going to be embedded in the proposed ID Card.

Why not write and ask your Member of Parliament if they are going to be following the Japanese example
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Royal Navy Task Group 337.01

As reported in the Daily Telegraph Argentines say 'never again' to dictatorship Thousands of people crammed into the main square of Buenos Aires on the 24th march to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Argentina's last military coup.

But on the 21st March Argentina's naval chief said he has ordered all in-country intelligence operations by the navy to be temporarily suspended while officials probe reports of spying. Defence Minister Nilda Garre had ordered the suspension after media reported allegations of illicit spying on officials, politicians and local journalists from the Admiral Zar naval air base.

In the mean time the Royal Navy Task Group 337.01 comprising HMS LIVERPOOL and RFA GOLD ROVER deployed to South Georgia.

At 0013hrs on Saturday, 25 March 2006 the Royal Falkland Islands Police received a report of drunken men riding push bikes on Callaghan Road. Officers attended but found nothing.
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Don't Give Up

I was wrong to say I'd quit
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Digital Dave

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Caption competition

Copy picture, add your own text and post on your own weblog. Alternatively leave your suggestion in the comments section.
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Who pays for Norman Kember's flight home?

Know Before You Go Campaign
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Metropolitan Police lends an Ear

John Yates, the deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has asked for the parliamentary investigation into the 'cash for peerage scandal', to be postponed.

Sir David Garrard, the property millionaire, who loaned £2.3m, Chai Patel, head of the Priory Clinic, who loaned £1.5m, Sir Gulam Noon, who loaned £250,000, and Barry Townsley, who loaned £1m, are due to appear before next week's Commons public administration committee. All look likely to be interviewed by the Police.

Anyone offered an honour is required to declare in the letter of nomination any financial connections to a political party. It is understood none of the four nominees had declared their Labour loans.



The police are also interested in Lord Levy, the prime minister's chief fundraiser. If charges are brought they would be the first prosecutions in almost 80 years. Not since the Honours broker supreme - and crafty poisoner "His Excellency J. Maundy Gregory" has anyone been prosecuted under The Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act was passed in 1925.
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Money worries 'affect sex drive'

An estimated 2 million people have lost their sex drive as a result of worrying about money, a survey showed today.

"Our study has revealed that this sensitive problem is quite widespread and a person with a financial problem is likely to lean on his or her partner for support and advice," Guardian



Anyone for Tennis
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Old Queen Street

Senior Labour party figures are close to agreeing a sale of the party's Old Queen Street building, which could bring in £6 million

The extent of the party's total debt will not become public until June, but it is understood it could be as much as £25 million.



A useful link for senior party figures Here
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Family Friendly Budget

A CRACKDOWN on a favourite technique for avoiding inheritance tax will hit at least 100,000 families, accountants said yesterday.

“Accumulation and maintenance trusts” are set up by parents and grandparents wanting to bequeath assets free of tax while preventing them from being squandered.

The action against the trusts is retrospective, forcing people to reorganise their financial affairs or leave their heirs with an unexpected tax bill. The Times
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Budget

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MoD despatch Task Force to the Falklands

A BRITISH naval vessel is trapped in dock in Argentina after strike action by local workers prevented essential repairs being carried out.

HMS Endurance - successor to the ship which played a key role in the Falklands war - was forced to seek assistance from the Argentinian dockyard at Puerto Belgrano after damaging its rudder while conducting survey work in Antarctica. The Scotsman

In the mean time, the MoD has despatched a Task Force to the Falklands.

Other recent news
"There's gold in them far Islands".
Hand back Falklands, Venezuela tells Blair
Falklands unrest as BBC cans radio show
Argentina 'arrests' British squid trawler
Falkland fear as Argentina steps up show of strength
A third of British forces 'not ready for action'
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Austrian Soldiers refuse to salute flag

According to this article in the Austrian Die Presse. Austrian Muslim Soldiers refused to salute the Austrian flag at a parade and instead turned their backs on it. Following the incident the Austrian defence minister Günther Platter announced that the army will engage imams as permanent chaplains in order to mediate future conflicts.



Perhaps they should just bow down and change the flag.
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Swedish Foreign Minister Hoisted by own Petard

Sweden's foreign minister Laila Freivalds resigned today, accused of lying about shutting down a Web site that solicited cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

Freivalds was criticized for her role in shutting down the Web site of a political party that was planning to publish cartoons of Muhammad like those that led to protests by Muslims in London.

The site was closed Feb. 9 after a Foreign Ministry official contacted the Web hosting company, which critics said was an intrusion on the freedom of speech. Freivalds had told Swedish media she did not order the ministry official to contact the company. A later report from the ministry said she was involved in the decision.
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Blair to host Comical Ali Awards

Britain's involvement in the invasion of Iraq is to be defended by the prime minister, in the first of three speeches on foreign policy.



He will restate his conviction that the UK faces threats and must prevent terrorism, not merely react to it.

He is expected to criticise sections of the media Blair will accuse them of "a superficial deal with extremism" and say such behaviour must "be confronted and uprooted".


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English Tax to Prop up North Britain Parliament

TAXPAYERS could end up having to foot the bill for the North Britain Parliament's broken roof because the building is not insured.

It emerged yesterday that the contractor's warranty period expired on 17 February - only two weeks before the problem of the broken beam emerged. The Scotsman


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Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act, 1925

Written answers Thursday, 26 January 2006

Norman Baker (Lewes, LDem) Hansard source
To ask the Prime Minister whether he plans to (a) review and (b) reform the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.

Tony Blair (Prime Minister) Hansard source "No".

The sale of British titles is prohibited by the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act, 1925

The Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 was passed on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Honours, which reported in 1922

Section 1(1) of the Act provides that: "If any person accepts, obtains or agrees to accept or obtain from any person, for himself or for any other person, or for any purpose, any gift, money or valuable consideration as an inducement or reward for procuring or assisting or endeavouring to procure the grant of a dignity or title of honour to any person or otherwise in connection with such a grant, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanour."

Section 1(2) If any person gives, or agrees or proposes to give, or offers to any person any gift, money or valuable consideration as an inducement or reward for procuring or assisting or endeavouring to procure the grant of a dignity or title of honour to any person, or otherwise in connection with such a grant, he shall be guilty of an offence.

Section 1(3) provided that anyone found guilty under the Act could be liable on conviction on indictment to a maximum of two years imprison-ment

Why not write to your MP and urge them to sign Early Day Motion 1604

The common law offence of misconduct in a public office was defined in Russell On Crime, 12th Edition (1964) (J W Cecil Turner) in this way:

"Where a public officer is guilty of misbehaviour in office by neglecting a duty imposed upon him either at common law or by statute, he commits a misdemeanour and is liable to indictment unless another remedy is substituted by statute. The liability exists whether he is a common law or a statutory officer; and a person holding an office of important trust and of consequence to the public, under letters patent or derivatively from such authority, is liable to indictment for not faithfully discharging the office."
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Blair "knew exactly what was going on"

This weekend, Blair and the Labour high command have "gagged" Labour's treasurer to prevent him from exposing the identities of the party's multi-millionaire lenders, because they are protected by commercial "confidentiality clauses".

The Prime Minister entered into the deal with the group of lenders to ensure that their contributions could not be exposed at a later date.



The Money Laundering Regulations 2003
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

What does Gordon Brown Know And how are the Blair's servicing their 23 x above salary mortgage
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Falklands Watch

According to Pescare.com.ar The Argentine Foreign Affairs Ministry has advised its scientists to abstain from contributing to research linked to the Falkland Islands and surrounding waters.

Minister Liliana Teresa Dos Reis writes “the Argentine government dissuades Argentine scientists, even privately, from collaborating and/or contributing with papers, publications or any other form of work”. Merco Press

Other recent news
"There's gold in them far Islands".
Hand back Falklands, Venezuela tells Blair
Falklands unrest as BBC cans radio show
Argentina 'arrests' British squid trawler
Falkland fear as Argentina steps up show of strength
A third of British forces 'not ready for action'
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£rmine

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North Britain, Civil War

RELATIONS between the Executive and the parliamentary authorities plunged to an all-time low last night after a bitter row broke out over the handling of the saga of the broken mass debating chamber roof. The Scotsman

Just waiting for another Easter Rising
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Kiss my arse Hardy!

The chief of Royal Navy personnel said yesterday that it was "unhealthy" that until recently gay sailors had been forced to keep their sexuality secret.

Vice-Admiral Adrian Johns revealed the Navy's new attitude towards homosexuals before giving a speech entitled "Reaping the rewards of a gay-friendly workplace." Daily Telegraph



Hello Sailor, where have you been. The Royal Navy has always been gay friendly, obviously you have never been invited to seek the Golden Rivet

And just to show there is no inter-service rivalry, "there are fairies at the bottoms of our guardsmen"
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That levying money

Lord Levy, the Prime Minister's fundraiser



If the loans were raised by No10, as alleged. Was tax paid on the interest? The party treasurer should know this (in Law). The requirements of a Treasurer is to ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

If it didn't go through the Labour Party books, then surely it was the Government that was raising the money

Bill of Rights 1689
That levying money for or to the use of the crown (Government), by pretence of prerogative, without grant of parliament, for longer time, or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted, is illegal.

Oh hum
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North Britain Parliament Condemned

Engineering experts have claimed that, the faulty roofing above the mass debating chamber in the North Britain Parliament is far more serious than previously believed, leaving MSPs facing months without mass debating.

MSPs have been using othe places to stage mass debates since a beam came loose at Holyrood on 2 March while they were in mid session. The Scotsman

A Tissue
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Education, Education um errr Education

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New Mohammed Cartoons

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport sponsors New Mohammed Cartoons

ICONS partners, the Foundation for Science, Technology & Civilisation opened its 1001 Muslim Inventions touring exhibition at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry on 8 March.

Hat tip An Englishmans Castle
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North Britain Parliament Update

A spokesman for the parliament said officials would present a range of options to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body later today. The venues being considered include the City Chambers (which is too small to house all MSPs), the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, which would have to fit the parliament in around its other conference commitments and Our Dynamic Earth, which is close by but is not as easy to convert as other venues.

Meanwhile, the Tories called yesterday for all chamber sessions to be postponed until the Holyrood chamber is repaired. The Scotsman



Perhaps they could use the Project Management skills of that Cheerful Chappy the Court Jester
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For Posterity

Sir Ian Blair takes delivery of the sword he is about to fall on.
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A War Trials Crime

An inalienable right in International law.

"Innocent" until you wake up dead in your prison cell.

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Dynamic Einstein

Create your own blackboard text Here
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The Court Jester Speaks Out

The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, is set to strongly reject the idea of an English parliament, in a speech to a conference on devolution. "not today, not tomorrow" Will England have a Parliament



Well, let me tell that Cheerful Chappy the Court Jester, "not today, not tomorrow" does this Labour Government have a Mandate in England.

The time has come for an English National Covenant

The only effect one Independent State can have upon another Independent State is through the obligation and terms of a bi-lateral Treaty. This principle is embodied in Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, that states a "...party may not invoke the provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to perform a treaty."

The constituent parts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (so called since 1927) are (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland have all been regarded for centuries as nations, and are still correctly referred to as such. This has nothing to do with legal status. England, Scotland and Ireland all were once Kingdoms, but no longer are (since 1707 in the case of England and Scotland, 1800 in the case of Ireland). Wales was not a Kingdom but a Principality, and is sometimes still referred to as such.

The UK Government draws up on its LEGAL BASIS from the Act of the Union.

Article 4 of the Act of Union states That all the subjects of the United Kingdom of Great Britain shall from and after the Union.........have the same Rights Privileges and Advantages

The people of Scotland, since devolution, have had different rights, privileges and advantages over those of the people of England. The treaty of union is therefore null and void and England can withdraw using the provision of Article 61 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

Article 61 Supervening impossibility of performance

A party may invoke the impossibility of performing a treaty as a ground for terminating or withdrawing from it if the impossibility results from the permanent disappearance or destruction of an object indispensable for the execution of the treaty. If the impossibility is temporary, it may be invoked only as a ground for suspending the operation of the treaty.

That is the Answer to the West Lothian Question.
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North Britain farce part 2

THE North Britain Parliament is looking for another new home after being told it would have to leave its temporary location by the end of next week. The problems started last Thursday when an oak beam broke free from the roof at Holyrood.



It has cost the North Britain parliament £20,000 to hire The Hub for this week - not including the extra broadcasting, administration and electronic voting system costs.

Fawlty Python

The British government will give its full support to German police to arrest any England soccer fan caught making a Nazi salute at this year's World Cup, Home Secretary Charles Clarke said on Thursday.

Clarke, in unveiling England's plans to combat hooliganism during the tournament which starts on June 9, said England fans had to respect the German law Reuters

Stay legal and shop for your accessories at Don't Mention the War


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simply an error

Dear Anoneumouse
Thank you for your interest in the 2011 Census, and in particular ourintention to collect information on national identity.

I can confirm that we are intending to collect information for each UKnational identity, including a tick-box allowing people to identify themselves as English. The omission of this category in some press reportswas simply an error.

Yours sincerely,
Research Officer
Questionnaire Design and Content
2011 Census
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Goose & Gander (Jesus & Mohammed)

A church has been told it needs planning permission to put up a wooden cross because it constitutes an advert. BBC

Dudley Council said that national planning laws classify crosses as adverts and the church must pay £75 for planning permission.


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MTV meets Tony Blair

Tony Blair premieres on MTV UK this Sunday at 7pm.



Sheds light on his part in Africa
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Alas, Sir Nigel! I knew him Tony

quite chap-fallen?
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Resurrectionists

The euObserver reperts that, German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Jacques Chirac are engaged in confidential talks aimed at re-submitting the core of the EU constitution to French and Dutch voters

Spiegel Online reports in a preview of the Spiegel weekly printed edition that conservatives from Germany, France and the European Parliament are plotting a scheme for reviving the EU constitution which was rejected by French and Dutch voters in referendums last year.



This document shouldn't be buried, it needs to have a stake hammered through its black heart.
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North Britain's economy has failed

JACK McConnell's flagship policy of growing North Britain's economy has failed, according to a damning verdict from one of the country's leading business experts The Scotsman

In a detailed series of verdicts on the North Britain Executive and the parliament, Mr Watt warned that the majority of ministers did not do anything to help develop North Britain's economy, and that few MSPs had any idea of the crippling impact the regulations they passed had on Scottish business.
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Keeps you regular but amateurish

The five-minute campaigner
Make your mark on the pro-European scene with our quick and easy campaign ideas.
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Period of Reflection for Tessa Jowell

Section 25 of the The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (as amended by New Labour) sets out the basic guidelines which the English courts apply in deciding ancillary relief claims

(2) As regards the exercise of the powers of the court under section 23 (1) (a), (b) or (c), 24 or 24A above in relation to a party to the marriage, the court shall in particular have regard to the following matters:

(a) the income, earning capacity, property and other financial resources which each of the parties to the marriage has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future, including in the case of earning capacity any increase in that capacity which it would in the opinion of the court be reasonable to expect a party to the marriage to take steps to acquire;

...................................

(h) in the case of proceedings for divorce or nullity of marriage, the value of each of the parties to the marriage of any benefit which, by reason of the dissolution or annulment of the marriage, that party will lose the chance of acquiring.

You want your share Tessa? then you have to have known about it first. Not so much a Mill's Bomb, but the terms Petard and Hoisted come to mind.
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Tony Blair (pbuh)

My Christian God is better than your Islamic Allah

Tony Blair (pbuh) believes God will be the ultimate judge of his decision to go to war with Iraq. Na, na na, na na na.


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The Love Slug

Lord Drayson Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence; said on the BBC radio 4 'Today Program' that, the European Defence Agency (EDA) is like a "Dating Agency" Listen again


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North Britain Parliament (scotland)

Proceedings at the North Britain Parliament in Edinburgh were abandoned for the day after a 12ft-long beam came loose in the mass debating chamber. BBC

Please note: the BBC article has quoted an imperial measurement
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Italian Job

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"Pay tax? Nah,"

The taxman is turning nasty with a new television advertising campaign that encourages people to inform on suspected tax dodgers.

Revenue & Customs said that this was its first television ad campaign aimed at cracking down on people who deliberately avoid paying their taxes. It urges people to call a confidential whistleblowing hotline if they suspect someone of cheating the system.



Did this man pay tax on his grace-and-favour home, when 'not' in office?
The whistleblowing hotline number is 0800 788 887. It is open seven days a week, 8am to 8pm.
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Modern Compassionate Conservatism

Vote Labour


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