Branson wants a bailout for Virgin Atlantic. Does he pay his taxes? If not – let it collapse
Richard Branson.
It’s very simple: if Richard Branson, his top executives, and his company have all paid the full whack of taxes applicable to them – since the company was formed – then a government bailout may be considered.
Otherwise, let it all collapse. And Virgin Atlantic used to be my airline of preference.
The bribes Branson is offering are fantastic: he’ll put his private Caribbean island up as collateral, which implies he wants us all to think of the bailout as a loan.
Great! If he defaults on payments, can we – the great British public – take free holidays there after the lockdown is over, using Virgin planes to reach it?
That would be pleasant but I have a doubt that the Tory government would allow it. We’re plebs and livestock, after all.
And he said he was investing £215 million of his own money. Also great! But he’s asking for more than twice as much. And how much money is he keeping?
The simple fact is: Denmark and Poland have the right idea.
If corporations and shareholders pay their full taxes, then it is fair for a government to consider using its scheme to bail them out.
If not, then it doesn’t matter how hard they plead, the answer must still be no.
If you’re not paying in, you can’t expect to draw out.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
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I counter offer, right good deal, we take your island as collateral, here is another form for you to sign, were offering actually 1 billion instead of the 700M you want, that is for 40% of virgin group so we have a controlling stake, no bonuses, sounds a good deal Richard, sign here
F*ck that guy didn’t he sue the NHS the other year?
Also Virgin Healthcare not paying corperation tax
Off the top of my head sure those with the time could find more
Totally agree we should follow the example set by Denmark and Poland. Would be interesting to know how much tax all those hard working Poles have contributed to the coffers in comparison to ‘Beardie’. His various dodges are already well documented so I’ll just put this comment that a friend made when we were discussing his latest attempt to pass the begging bowl: “This the man who wanted to put lyrics on Tubular Bells, for FFS.”
They’ll bail him out. Doesn’t matter who’s running the gaffe at the moment, whether it was de piffle or starmer, branson’ll get what he wants.
It’s what this country does. It’s the UK, and HAS to do things differently.
Play the game, or you’re on your own, Dickie.
I thought that was the idea of privatisation, they keep the (very substantial) profit because they take the risks. The foot stamping, dummy spitting poor little billionaire will no doubt get his own way as do all the hard done by elite. By the way, pay back the money you stole from the NHS when your bid didn’t win as well as the taxes you should have paid before it’s even considered!
In 2009 Branson said that the government shouldn’t bail out British Airways, they should let it fail so that companies like Virgin could take up the slack. That hasn’t aged well. I can’t find the direct link but it’s mentioned in this Guardian article https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/jun/22/richard-branson-attacks-british-airways