When it comes to tax Tories are predictable. They don't like them. That's why they appoint Lords who don't pay them.

Yet paying tax is the relationship that indicates your membership of the community of which you are a part. It's your 'licence fee': your contribution to the social contract; the price you pay for living an a civilised, democratic society.

I guess you can argue the Lords aren't democratic, and that absolves a law maker who sits there from responsibility. But it would be crass to do so. It's worse still though to have people who sit there who consciously neglect their duty to society and who fail to keep their word.

But that's Lord Laidlaw for you.