“Non-dom” donations a scandal – Rogerson
Local MP, Dan Rogerson has branded the Conservative Party’s use of donations from ‘non-doms’ “a scandal”.
Lord Ashcroft – the multimillionaire deputy chairman of the Conservative Party – this week confirmed for the first time that he does not pay tax on his earnings abroad in the UK.
Responding to news, local MP, Dan Rogerson said:
“Liberal Democrat campaigning relies on local members and supporters, each of whom pays their dues to the country before they spare a few pounds for our party.
“By contrast Lord Ashcroft has withheld untold sums from the public purse, while filling Tory coffers to the tune of millions of pounds.
“Having been born and brought up in Cornwall, I know local people will be shocked at this naked attempt to buy seats for new candidates.
“Ashcroft’s marginal seats programme is the most concerted attempt since the rotten boroughs were abolished in 1832 to make our democracy more about bank notes than it is about residents’ votes.
“It is a scandal.”
Notes:
1. Lord Ashcroft, through his company Bearwood Corporate Services Ltd, is the biggest donor to the Conservative party, having given a total of £5,137,785.15. Lord Ashcroft made further personal donations of £111,726.09.
2. The Sunday Times “Rich list” in 2009 estimated Lord Ashcroft’s fortune at £1.1 billion.
3. Vince Cable named Lord Ashcroft as a ‘non-dom’ in December 2009:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm091216/debtext/91216-0003.htm
