The Sherwood Echo: 30th July

July 30th, 2010 by Robin Hood

Posted in: The Sherwood Echo, Top stories

The view from Sherwood: it may be summer but there’s no rest for supporters of the Robin Hood Tax.


Sun, Sand, Surf & Post-Its

This is the best thing we’ve seen this week. Richard Murphy, of  Tax Research UK describes how a banker from the British Banker’s Association took the time out of his holiday to add post-it objectives to a Robin Hood Tax poster. If only the banker had taken the time to stick around to chat because we’ve got answers to all his questions.

From Westminister to Brussels

As the reality of the cuts hits home support for a bank tax in Westminister continues to grow. Last week  there were two tabled amendments  to the budget asking for an inclusion of a Robin Hood Tax.  This week last Ian Swales led a group of five MPs in introducing a new EDM pushing for a financial transaction levy.

The European Finance Ministers have been asked to book an extra meeting in their diary for September to start working on agreements for a tax on financial transactions and bank levies. They’re going to push for a consensus ready for the meeting of the G20 (the world’s richest and fastest-growing economies) in Korea this November. Those G20 meetings are set to look at financial reform and taxes on the banks, it will be a big moment and we’ll be there.

Who supports us?

Facebook has been everywhere in the news this week, so we thought we’d join in to mark reaching the  200,000 fans  (or to be precise 204,667 people) . So what do this merry band look like? At the moment we are 59% Robins to 37% Marions (come on the girls…). The five cities with most merry men? London, Manchester, Brighton, Milton Keynes and Birmingham.  Come on Milton Keynes, punching way above their weight. And this week we have had comments from people living in Senegal, South Africa and the Maladives.  Great to know the message is spreading.

60 sec videos – Changed minds

Want to win a master-class with Richard Curtis, a top spot on Youtube, Sony cameras and help a great campaign? Get cracking on a short video about why the world needs Robin. Nothing fancy needed and if you’re looking for inspiration, check out the entries already up on Youtube.  We’d like to welcome the wonderful  Raindance film Festival as competition partners, they’ll be helping us find the best of British independent film talent.

Posted in: The Sherwood Echo, Top stories

  • Adrian douglas
    I put in a comment into Mr Murphy's blog which he has chosen not to publish. It seems he only likes comments on his blog from those who agree with him.

    I commented how unprofessional it was (and indeed sad) for anyone in the hospitality industry to to put his political views (whatever they may be) in sight of his or her paying guests. A hotelier is not there to aggravate paying customers.

    I invited Mr Murphy to tell us where the establshment is. Those who agree with the proprietor's views may be attracted to the venue. Those who don't can avoid it.

    Mr Murphy won't tell us. It is such an unusual thing for anyone in the hospitality industry to do that in the absence of a named establishment, it seems like a fake.
  • Rich
    When I have been to Wetherspoon's their magazine has put forward the political views of their head (particularly his Euroscepticism), and they're not exactly a small company. Ryanair do similar at times.

    Also, I don't know why so many net users assume a right to have their views hosted on someone else's site- it's Murphy's blog, so it's his right to publish what comments he chooses to. Would you assume any letter you sent to a newspaper would be published? They don't, they choose to publish those promoting their position or adding value to a debate.
  • Adriandouglas
    Rich, I agree, I don't have a right to be published on other people’s blogs.

    I simply pointed out that the poster looks fake and therefore the slurs against the BBA are unfounded.

    Wetherspoons and Ryanair may have political messages in their magazines. I haven’t seen them but assume they are directly linked to their industry, and in any case, are discreet (i.e. not in full view of customers by a poster). And I have never seen a political poster in view of the guests in a hotel – never.

    I am also making it clear that I am not making a accusation without having given Mr Murphy a chance to clear up the matter. I have given him that chance, something he could have quickly and easily done. But he has chosen to ignore it.

    Draw your own conclusions.
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