Still taking us for mugs

Sam Fairbairn is absolutely right to say that the main issue revealed in the Panama Papers is the secrecy which sees the "super-rich hiding their wealth in tax havens on an industrial scale", but the consequent fallout of the scandal has emphasise the contempt the rich, and their Tory allies in government, have for the people (Morning Star,16/04/16). Cameron clearly thinks setting up an inquiry headed by Edward Troup, who according to Tory ex-chancellor, Kenneth Clark, has such "a feel for tax", that he regards it as "legalised extortion", will appease the masses into thinking he is serious in his intent to end tax avoidance. Similarly, his repeated use of emotive language to defend the financial chicanery of his father, with descriptions of his "wonderful and hardworking dad", continues the trend of treating us like mugs, aiming at the feeble-minded listeners` hearts rather than the brains which recognise such obvious tax avoidance.

  Of course, the past-master at revealing such scant regard for our thought capacity is George Osborne, who clearly thinks that the creation of a tunnel here, and a road-widening there, will convince the populace that the Tories are creating a "northern powerhouse"; we are not expected to understand that news such as 83% of the government`s £300m relief fund will  go to Tory-run councils, mostly in the south, is proof of the ridiculous bias this administration shows for southern England.

 As for Sir Alan Duncan and his view that tax transparency will deprive Parliament of high "achievers"? My case rests! His casual dismissal of the wonderful work done by the likes of teachers, nurses and carers may not be typical of the views of the Tory party, but I wouldn`t put money on it!