Suppose prospective MPs were asked to sign a tax pledge before next year's general election? What might it say? This was an idea discussed at a PCS fringe meeting I spoke at last night. These are my ideas for a minimum commitment:<\/p>\n
1. I oppose tax evasion and will demand that HM Revenue & Customs get all the resources and laws needed to beat it.
\n2. I am opposed to tax avoidance and will support all accounting and legal reforms aimed at exposing it.
\n3. I believe the tax avoidance industry harmful to the UK and will demand a General Anti-Avoidance Principle that will stop it in its tracks.
\n4. I believe tax abuse by multinational companies that use tax havens undermines developing countries and will demand measures to stop those companies and tax havens from undertaking that abuse.<\/p>\n
And maybe these two are optional extras:<\/p>\n
5. I believe that UK banks have prospered at a time when most in the UK have suffered and that the time has come to correct this. I support a Robin Hood Tax.
\n6. I believe in tax transparency and will put my tax returns on public record for the period during which I am an MP.<\/p>\n
Any more thoughts?<\/p>\n
Who will and won't sign?<\/p>\n
And why?<\/p>\n
I'm just thinking ahead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"