In principal I think most sensible observers would agree that an extension to Council Tax Bands could be an acceptable alternative to a draconian Mansion Tax regime that must be avoided at all costs.

There is nothing wrong with a more expensive property paying a commensurately higher charge for local services (even though paradoxically they use less of them i.e. do not use State Schools or usually the NHS and are certainly not on welfare). Continue reading →

At a glittering function a number of years ago, to celebrate Glentree’s 35 years of successful trading, President Gorbachev was invited, and attended, as Guest of Honour.  At this function notable luminaries included Alexander and Eugene Lebedev (owners of the Evening Standard and Independent) as well as some of the richest Russians in London.  In fact, we needed an army of 30 security guards to ensure there were no incidents. Continue reading →

Dear George, well, you didn’t have much ‘wriggle room’ and delivered a budget that I suppose is the only thing you could have done given that the deficit is circa £108billion but this is set to fall to a balanced budget in 2018 that is good news indeed.

Employment is down again and growth at 2.7% is the fastest in the western world  – a real result. Continue reading →