If you think it's rough here, keep an eye across the Channel

I complain frequently that 'Dim Dave' lacks any sort of coherent political philosophy which results in our 'Ship of State' wallowing about at the mercy of any wayward current or wind that blows up but I suppose that is marginally better than having a leader with a very definite but wrongheaded political philosophy which will drive his nation straight towards the rocks.  I refer to President Hollande, a 'red in tooth and claw' socialist who has just announced his new tax regime which he has aimed directly at two soft targets - his own wealthy countrymen and foreign (mainly British) home owners.  At least 'Dave' had the good sense to announce that Britain would "roll out the red carpet" to any French citizens - and their businesses - fleeing an oppressive tax regime.  Look out for a surge in house prices in London and Kent.  As for the big increase in tax on rents and capital gains earned by Brits who own houses in France, the Brits will no doubt be upset but their local French neighbours will be even more so because they have grown to realise that the influx of Brits has become a mainstay of their local economies and without them they will sink once again into bucolic decay.  However, there is a hint or two in the prints of the possibility that this tax aimed directly at, er, notre cher frères européenne, might be illegal under European law!  Oooh, just too, too delicious, I'm quivering with the irony of it all!  Apparently, and I stress the word deliberately, there are to be some government cuts as well, but, 'Comrade' Hollande intends to employ a further 150,000 civil servants to help promote "a more competitive industry".  Yeeeeeeeees, quite!

 

Comments

[dearieme]

I think that it would be perfectly reasonable (though illegal under Bruxelles rules) for France to forbid Britons from buying property around Calais or Boulogne, Germans in Alsace or Lorraine, Italians on the Cote d'Azure, and so forth. I remember that a few years ago the Danes wanted to stop Germans buying property that was just over the border. They had no objection to Germans buying more far-flung property in Denmark.

Such policies would , of course, constitute intelligent learning of lessons from the Second World War, and are therefore are most unlikely to be effected.

[David Duff]

Wot abart Jocks buying down souf?