I note George Osborne said at the weekend:

While Gordon Brown claims he will deal with offshore tax avoidance, he is increasing the government’s stake in banks that, like RBS, have offshore subsidiaries. It is another example of this government’s lack of a coherent strategy — and something will have to give soon.

But then I noted his entry in the register of member’s interests which says:

Ongoing support provided to the Conservative Shadow Treasury team, including myself, with the development of policy from:

• PriceWaterhouseCoopers
• Grant Thornton
• The European School of Management
• The Boston Consulting Group
• Smith and Williamson

PWC and GT are old friends here. Let’s look at Smith and Williamson instead who say:

Why do individuals seek help with their taxes?

• lack of time to give their tax and financial affairs the consideration they deserve
• increasing complexity of annual tax returns as a result of constant changes in the UK tax system and more onerous reporting requirements
• to pass wealth to their families tax efficiently
• to find tax efficient strategies, business ownership or exit on retirement
• for personal or business interests in the UK and internationally where offshore structures to mitigate tax in the UK or overseas are needed

Now who’s lacking coherence George?

Are you for or against offshore structures? Answer the question. It’s a yea or a nay. There’s no in-between.