Tory MEPs support super-rich tax dodgers. (East Staffordshire Liberal Democrats)

East Staffordshire Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Tory MEPs support super-rich tax dodgers.

March 16, 2009 4:54 PM
Originally published by West Midlands Liberal Democrats

Liz Lynne MEP. Liz Lynne, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands has today slammed some Tory MEPs who voted against proposals aimed at cracking down on the super rich who use clever tax- avoidance schemes to avoid paying their fair share.

Conservative MEPs chose to side with millionaires over plans that would see European Member States put sanctions against tax-heavens and uncooperative countries that allow big companies and the ultra- wealthy to use them in order to avoid paying tax at home.

Speaking today Liz, who is the Vice- President of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, said:

"I am simply appalled that many Tory MEPs chose to vote to help the super rich avoid paying what they owe. The more that the richest people in the UK are allowed to flout the rules the more we all end up having to pay. It is not just and it is not fair.

"These proposals would give the EU powers to put pressure on tax havens and help put a stop to tax avoidance, yet the Tories chose to side with those with the most against the best interests of those with the least.

"We need a tax system that is fair, that sees the poorest pay a smaller percentage of their pay than those with millions of pounds to burn. If this is an example of David Cameron's Tories supposed support for hard working men and women then we should all be very concerned."