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Original poster

Zac Goldsmith

230 replies

ItsGrimUpNorth · 07/05/2010 20:48

I'm sorry but how can anyone vote for someone who only gave up their non dom status during the election campaign? How does someone like that contribute to Britain? He only became a tax payer because of the election. To me, that is a scum person.

And whilst he roundly won his seat, why did he have that gurning hooray behind him during the announcements? That, I have to say, was one of my favourite moments of the election, watching that berk's face. Could you get any more Tory?

OP posts:
Original poster
ItsGrimUpNorth · 07/05/2010 22:32

I don't draw the line on what amount of money a child is born into and will benefit from. I only say they are subject to tax.

And if you're born into lots of money, you pay more tax.

And if you are non dom in any way and seek public office, you should not been seen as avoiding tax.

As long as you work and pay tax, I'm happy.

My points hold up just fine, thanks.

And I have nothing against Old Etonians or any Etonians or private school. Just don't expect special treatment. You are subject to tax. You are not special. Just rich. There's a big difference.

You want to be considered British, you pay your way. That goes for all tax dodgers who by the way cost the U.K. an awful lot more than benefits skankers.

OP posts:
sfxmum · 07/05/2010 22:33

the last sentence about Brideshead and hair putty is particularly apt

skihorse · 08/05/2010 05:12

lol @ "he's a typical Tory". Sooo true, approximately 8 million people like that in the UK apparently.

Actually I think it's pathetic to "hate" someone because they're born rich & good-looking - talk about chips on shoulders!

tweetymum · 08/05/2010 06:08

He represents all that I cannot stand about the Tory Party. If he was so keen and committed, why not stand for the Greens, and actually put his money where his mouth is?

And he cheated on his gorgeous wife with his brother's sister-in-law. Nice

I found this NY Times article on him a while ago while looking for stuff for my media class. Just looking at that picture makes me want to go

Original poster
ItsGrimUpNorth · 08/05/2010 06:20

Who said anything about hating because he's rich and good looking? In fact, who said anything about hate?

I just think it's contemptible the way he was non dom and now isn't for the convenience of an election. It's all such bull.

And as for "typical Tory", 8 million people are not members of the Tory party. Many of those 8 million do not always vote Tory.

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skihorse · 08/05/2010 06:23

Tweety - is it more acceptable that John Prescott cheated on his wife because she's not (mileage may vary) beautiful?

It's with delicious irony that I note so many of you getting your knickers in a twist and claiming to "hate" him - yet you claim that Tory voters hate the "little people".

loumum3 · 08/05/2010 06:31

Everyone I know who has met him says he is a really nice guy and I know he is helping out the cab drivers (working class!) of Richmond who are being screwed over by the council.
I find it strange that many people don't like "posh" people and say so openly but wouldn't say the same thing about "poor" people as it sounds so nasty. I don't think money or education should come into it really. I think a great many people, if they had the money would spend it on the best possible education for their children,whatever way they vote.

tweetymum · 08/05/2010 06:31

Anyone cheating, in my book, is unacceptable, be it JP or ZG. It shows a lack of respect for the person you have bound yourself to. If you disrespect the person you were married to, what's to stop you from cheating your constituents?

I don't hate him, I cannot stand what he stands for and what he's done. There's a difference. He outspent the Lib Dem candidate in Richmond Park. Must be nice to have the money to burn, hey!!

WinkyWinkola · 08/05/2010 06:51

loumum, it's not that he's rich. It's that he's avoided paying tax. A lot of tax.

EldonAve · 08/05/2010 07:06

you can't just choose to be non-dom
your domicile follows your father's and usually means you are paying tax somewhere else anyway

Original poster
ItsGrimUpNorth · 08/05/2010 07:15

So how did he change his status during the election campaign then if you can't choose?

Why did Cameron make him?

OP posts:
EldonAve · 08/05/2010 07:37

you can elect to change it to dom

but you can't just wake up and go I'm really rich I better become non-dom

expatinscotland · 08/05/2010 07:43

Actually I think it's pathetic to "hate" someone because they're born rich & good-looking - talk about chips on shoulders!

I think it's pathetic to not read peoples' posts and assume automatically that if they don't like a candidate or partyit's because they are rich, good-looking, posh, etc.

He's a liar and a cheat. That's why I can't abide him.

fridayschild · 08/05/2010 08:03

For me, the fact it really didn't occur to him that non-dom was relevant for an MP who, erm, sets tax rates for the rest of us, shows how hopelessly out of touch and unqualified to be my MP he really is. And now I am stuck with him

EldonAve · 08/05/2010 09:03

all non-doms will pay tax on UK income provided they are UK resident

I understand people's objections to him on the basis of his alleged infidelity etc

claig · 08/05/2010 09:42

Many of his faults have been listed. But doesn't the fact that he is a Green concern anyone?

ZephirineDrouhin · 08/05/2010 09:49

I must say I'm quite surprised about this too, claig. I think it has to be a good thing that the Tories have someone pushing environmental issues.

What effect his ideas may have is yet to be seen though, and I wonder how well the public is going to accept green taxes from a man who has very publicly avoided paying so very much of his own.

expatinscotland · 08/05/2010 09:54

'But doesn't the fact that he is a Green concern anyone?'

He is not a Green. If he were an honest Green (and well, he's shown he's not an honest person), then he'd walk the walk like Caroline Lucas and run as one.

He's a power hungry, lying, cheating, tax-dodging snake in the grass who is used environmental spin to get into office.

THAT is why a lot of people can't abide him.

Because he's got the integrity of a snake in the grass.

And really, do we all need more of that? Guess there are plenty of deluded folks out there who think so.

claig · 08/05/2010 09:59

I think there is a Green consensus and Zac will be given a top job in pushing this through. I think Cameron is committed to it and Zac is a big player, is photogenic and will be popping up on our TV screens pushing for it. Unfortunately for me, I disagree with it, but there will be no escaping Zac and the left will grow to love him as one of their favourite Tories. As ifancyashandy said, he may even end up leading the Tories one day. The top Tories will probably end up being Cameron, Boris and Zac. The public already love Boris, Zac will be a favourite and Cameron will have to take some flak because he is the leader.

claig · 08/05/2010 10:01

expatinscotland, Zac will be much more effective implementing green policies as apart of a Tory government, than being a leading light in the Green Party. The Green Party will never run the country, but Zac will end up making green policies that affect the entire nation.

expatinscotland · 08/05/2010 10:14

As long as people are having a known liar and cheat deciding policy for them, perhaps so, claig.

'the public' love Boris?

Sorry, some of us don't live in the city-state that is London and couldn't care less who Boris is - other than some guy who spraffs about sausages whilst the rest of the world laughs at the farce that is the British system of electing officials into power.

expatinscotland · 08/05/2010 10:17

Sorry, meant to say, as long as people are happy . . .

snowlady · 08/05/2010 10:22

If he is very strong on environmental issues he will make a good MP as he will keep the tories in check over their commitment not to make airports bigger, and push the environment up the tory agenda. Otherwise you could imagine the tories ditching environmental concerns the minute they clash with the interests of big business.

claig · 08/05/2010 10:26

expatinscotland, if you love the Greens, then you owe much to the Goldsmiths. The Green Party was originally formed by Tories in 1973. Tony Whittaker, an ex-Tory activist, set it up. The billionaire, Teddy Goldsmith, who was Zac's uncle, and who was editor of the Ecologist magazine, merged his movement with it and it became known as the Ecology Party in 1975. It is now known as the Green Party. It was Tories who were at the heart of it and Old Etonians like Jonathon Porritt, were prominent members. Zac comes from good green roots and the left will grow to recognise that and love him, and his greeness will overshadow the fact that he is so rich etc.

claig · 08/05/2010 10:28

sorry, to clarify that, the Green Party was originally formed by an ex-Tory activist rather than by the Tories themselves.