Sky are now reporting that Sunak held an American Green Card during his first year in the Chancellorship. A Green Card means you are resident in the US and gives you the right to work there. ( Gov. spokesperson saying he doesn’t hold one now but doesn’t deny it). It seems quite wrong that someone in such a high office should have done this.
It's working, isn't it.
The anti-Sunak conspiracy theories!
Who is behind it? Surely not Johnson himself?
I can quite see Johnson being pleased by this. Taking the pressure off him.
But what do you feel about the actual topic itself, Callistemon21, Sunak’s holding of a Green Card whilst Chancellor?
Callistemon21
It's working, isn't it.
The anti-Sunak conspiracy theories!
Who is behind it? Surely not Johnson himself?
Who knows? Mrs J? I don't suppose anybody is going to confess.
Insiders are hinting that Sunak started the game by criticising Johnson's involvement with No 10 parties.
My own feeling is that Johnson must have known about Sunak's background when he appointed him, but didn't care. Personally, I think Sunak was over-promoted and hasn't been a good chancellor, but it seems the only way to get rid of somebody is by smearing. I felt the same about Matt Hancock. IMO groping a colleague's bum was nowhere near as serious as all the dodgy contracts he handed out, but that's what hit the headlines.
Nandalot
I can quite see Johnson being pleased by this. Taking the pressure off him.
But what do you feel about the actual topic itself, Callistemon21, Sunak’s holding of a Green Card whilst Chancellor?
It's not a good look, nor is the claim that his wife ultimately intends to return to India to look after her parents. Presumably, he'd go with her - leaving behind whatever chaos he causes in this country. I prefer senior politicians to show commitment to the country they're allegedly serving.
Sunak' s allies think Number 10 is behind all these briefings. Johnson was worried Sunak was very popular and after the top job:
www.itv.com/news/2022-04-07/chancellor-defends-wife-over-non-dom-status-as-allies-blame-no-10-for-smears
For me, Sunak's spring statement was all the revelation I need to be sure that he was either clueless about or indifferent to the needs of the poorer and poorest in our society.
What is the issue with the Green Card, please? Genuine question: I know what one is but don't know why it matters that he should have held one.
Question born of political unawareness.
Ta.
All this adds up to looking as though Sunak is treating the Chancellorship of the UK as 'just another job'. Which is frightening when it is a position of so much power and concerns the wellbeing of 60 million+ people.
Does anyone know what motivated him to enter politics?
Was it a concern to make the UK a better place for all its citizens? Or was it an opportunity to mould the economy into one that favoured private enterprise? Are the two in any way compatible?
Is Johnson a Non Dom/US citizen I wonder... I'm pretty sure he was born in Manhattan.
Happy to be corrected?
NotSpaghetti
Is Johnson a Non Dom/US citizen I wonder... I'm pretty sure he was born in Manhattan.
Happy to be corrected?
He gave up his US citizenship when the Americans started chasing him for tax. It was only a few years ago.
The non-dom status lasts for 15 years. Mrs Sunak has, I think, about three years until she has to find another way to dodge our tax system.
annodomini
The non-dom status lasts for 15 years. Mrs Sunak has, I think, about three years until she has to find another way to dodge our tax system.
I think it's 7 years left. The Sunaks lived in the US for four years after they got married in 2009.
Been wondering why no UK government, Labour, coalition or Tory, has changed the law about Non-Dom status. Which led me to wondering if perhaps there is an advantage to the UK about having it the way it is.
Either that or ALL our politicians are a bunch of incompetents.
Re US Green Cards, for two of my nephews, and the wife of one of them, who have applied for Green Cards, it is apparently going to take years. The wife of another nephew (this nephew is a US citizen) isn't even able to go see her parents in Canada until she has a Green Card, which is also taking ridiculous ages.
All of which makes me wonder how Sunak got one. I thought he was from Southampton. How long did he reside in the US?
It’s all very House of Cards if you ask me….
Boris had dual citizenship of the UK and US. All US citizens, including those with dual nationality, have to pay US tax to the IRS wherever they live and wherever that income arises.
They also have to pay a hefty fee to renounce their US citizenship, which Boris did.
But doubtless prior to that, when he was a journalist and MP, he would have had to pay some US tax on his UK income. Probably not all of it due to double taxation relief agreements between the UK and the US.
I hold no brief for BoJo but have learned from American friends living and working in the UK that it's difficult to escape the clutches of the IRS. They are legally bound to fill in a long and complex tax return every year, for starters.
Nandalot
I can quite see Johnson being pleased by this. Taking the pressure off him.
But what do you feel about the actual topic itself, Callistemon21, Sunak’s holding of a Green Card whilst Chancellor?
Would Johnson need one to work in the USA? Or does he have dual nationality?
The answers to that would be very interesting.
Missed your post SiobhanSharpe, that answers one of my questions.
Sunak’s bid for leadership is done for.
Over to Liz Truss now and see what Johnson can dig up about her.
Anyone got any ideas?
While they're all plotting about each other who is running this country?
Sunak has no time for the elderly. the working poor nor the disabled
He is in the wrong job
Happygirl79
Sunak has no time for the elderly. the working poor nor the disabled
He is in the wrong job
Sunak has no time for the elderly. the working poor nor the disabled.
Change the first two words for "The vast majority of the Conservative Party" and you find out why he got the job.
In all honesty Whitewavemark2 can anybody, including diehard Tory supporters, envisage Liz Truss as Prime Minister?I really don’t think anybody needs to badmouth her because she is being hoist by her own petard.
Amazing.
Rishi Sunak is in trouble because of the tax activities of his wife, (avoidance or evasion, legal but immoral?) now he has/had a green card, and yet it still is all down to Boris.
Actually, I am sure Mrs. Thatcher masterminded it; she was always a forward planner.
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »Get our top conversations, latest advice, fantastic competitions, and more, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
