An open letter to Lord David Lipsey from Brian Cave
- Written by Sue Englefield
An open letter to Lord David Lipsey - lipseyd@parliament.uk
Dear David Lipsey,
Our verbal exchange on Tuesday 27th December 2011 on Radio 4 has engendered a good deal of response.
(Listen here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9668000/9668360.stm)
I attach a list of a couple of pages of comments which have been sent to me (directly or indirectly) . (N.B. - I always try to maintain anonymity of my correspondents - there is one exception in the list, who has already public exposure). (See comments here)
Some use sharp language. I try to avoid it. A note on the expatriates and British economy - You made very strongly the point that 'representation' is linked to the economy and taxation - It is not, I may add, a view shared by the Civil Service ('The true masters of Government') !
1. This last year I and my wife have purchased from or within the UK Electric fencing, microwave cooker, trousers for myself (3 pairs) and my wife, pullover, books, considerable number of presents for family and friends. Previous year - two sofas amongst other minor stuff. You will read that this is a commonplace activity amongst expatriates. British VAT is paid on these purchases.
2. The majority probably have British bank accounts - Yet I observe it is almost impossible to open a new account of any kind if you are an expatriate.
3. Many have property in the UK and pay local property taxes in the UK.
4. Probably some 250,000 (minimum) expatriate pensioners pay all or much of their income tax to the British Government. Ex-military/police/teachers/etc.....
5. Over one million, three hundred thousand pensioners receive State Pensions from the British Government (A point, I think, you were anxious to make).
6. Great numbers have savings/investments in the UK (but see the stupidity in 2. above). Great numbers receive private pensions from the UK.
7. Many who have overseas jobs (a younger generation than I), have children at school in the UK and pay school fees there. I would also observe that many people in Britain who are foreign nationals, pay British income tax, VAT, Council tax etc. and have no representation in the British Parliament. Moreover a large number (e.g. those with low incomes) pay no income tax but are represented in Parliament. Thus it is that the link between economy and representation is historically weak - though many claim, as you yourself claim, that it should be strong. And indeed its failure, as it is often remarked, led to the independence of the USA.
The link between the National Government and the people of the Nation should surely be strong and two-way. The National Government is the servant of the people, not the other way about. If it is not, then we have a form of dictatorship.
Most expatriates do not want to be a burden on the British State but they should have appropriate Representation - someone who understands their needs as British Citizens in a foreign land, and as Citizens subject to British laws, and that when matters which affect them or are of interest to them as British Nationals, are discussed, that their views are considered and they can in some manner be consulted - this is called 'democracy'.
For this reason I have composed a 'discussion paper'. In its construction I have consulted others more closely involved in political matters. This is also attached (See here) . I offer it to you for your consideration and I would hope you would come to it with an open mind and understand it is written with serious intention and considerable thought over a period of some months. No doubt many readers of it will have varying points of view - that is why it is described as a 'discussion' paper.
I had a chat yesterday with a couple of friends on a friendly walk - one a retired French General of the French Air Force, and another who is a retired librarian of a Dutch University. We discussed political matters, such as the position of Britain in Europe. As the French General said - "There are only three powerful countries in Europe - Germany, France and Britain. Only two have a reasonable defence force - Britain and France. That is why France and Britain were the leading activists recently in Libya. Why is Britain turning its back on Europe?"
You see.. you understand? - we expatriates are part of the British Nation and for that reason we need to be respected at home.Those of us living in the furthest corners of world will have similar experiences.
This email is being circulated to the many correspondents of Pensioners Debout! and also to others on other mailing lists.
Some may write to you personally on this subject - I invite them to do so, though I know too well that most are reticent about putting their head above the parapet. Your email address is in the heading.
Brian Cave
Brian Cave
Le Fourquet, Gourdon, 46300, France
T: ++33(0)565 41 42 69
E: lefourquet@orange.fr
W: www.lefourquet.net
Blogs: http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.com/
