Is Conservative Party deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft a tax exile?

[Gromit]

William Hague explains...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnigh t/8080379.stm

Fair question?

[paraffin]

I saw Paxman's attempts on Newsnight last night to get blood out of a stone, i.e a straight answer from a politician, in this case William Hague.I was still none the wiser at the end of it.

A similar exchange took place today on the Daily Politics when another BBC political heavyweight interrogator, Andrew Neil, had no more success in trying to elicit a proper response to the same question from another Tory MP, Caroline Spelman. He gave up in exasperation after several repetitions of his question were met with equally obtuse and vague answers.

I therefore am still as much in the dark as Paxman and Neil!

[Quinlad]

By going to such lengths to dodge a reasonable question, you make the answer fairly obvious.

If he isn't a tax exile, Hague could have put it to bed in 10 seconds. The fact he couldn't suggests he is.

[R1Geezer]

Hague should have put it to bed in 10 seconds by saying something like:

"Yes he is avoiding paying tax like we all do even you Paxo so get back to ar5se licking Noo labour you slimey tw&t, next question". That would have added 10points in the polls and Paxo would have sh1t himself.

FFS do any of us like paying tax? Would we not avoid it if at all possible? I can't believe that Hague had an open goal and refused to score!

[Gromit]

As usual Geezer you totally miss the point.

It is not about whether wealthy individuals can use legal tax avoidance schemes such as being non domicile in this country, it is about whether such people should be part of the process which governs us.

Is it right for these people to vote in the Lords to spend billions of taxpayers money when they do not contribute?

[R1Geezer]

No it is not right, I agree. However your standard na na nana na question indicated to me that you where more interested in Hague avoiding the question than the actual content.

[jno]

any why not be concerned with the former Tory leader dodging a straightforward question? His party will be in power in a year or so (unless the voting system is repaired); it's useful to be reminded that sleaze is not confined to Labour, and Hague has kindly done so.