Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Now Lord Ashcroft makes Tory bloggers look silly too

The attempt to defend Lord Ashcroft does not just make Conservative politicians look undignified. It does strange things to Conservative bloggers too.

Here is Iain Dale writing last night:

I'll take note of Alan Johnson's comments when he has proved his own patriotism. I'm not even going to mention the ways in which his own government sells British interests at every available opportunity. That would be like kicking a kitten.

No, Mr Johnson.

When you've raised millions of pounds for CrimeStoppers, when you've donated your collection of VCs to the nation, when you've given huge amounts of money to Help for Heroes, and countless other charities then I'll listen to you talk about patriotism.

Michael Ashcroft has done all those things. To label him 'unpatriotic' is a sick joke by a man who ought to know better.

It's all a bit overwrought. And the logic behind it seems to be that you cannot be a patriot unless you are a millionaire.

Still, let's be fair and leave the last word to Lord Ashcroft himself.

Visit his website and you will find these words prominently displayed:
"If home is where the heart is, then Belize is my home."

3 comments:

dazmando said...

Why is it so many Tory blogger are defensive and dont somethime put there hands up and say, yes he should pay tax. I dont think any party comes of well but like the expenses the Tories come of worse.

Ashcroft - are we all as bad as each other? http://bracknellblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/ashcroft-are-all-as-bad-as-each-other.html

Foregone Conclusion said...

"Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim." Clement Atlee.

dreamingspire said...

I wish that Atlee had said: "pay his taxes gladly and use his money wisely". And for the not rich, use our time wisely.