Giving without tax breaks

Published: 29 December 2010

WHEN I hear the Tory leader make his ever-so-pompous babblings about how “we” can give to charity in shops and banks, I get very angry.

In Britain, historically, we have given more to charity than any other country in Europe. Straight after the tsunami in Indonesia a few years back we went into action faster than anywhere else.

And we did so without the tax breaks that Tory charity-givers enjoy, as they are often rich. They give to show off; it’s a status thing for them. 

We give because people need charity as the state rarely supplies enough services. So the poor, here and internationally, have to rely on handouts.

We don’t need patronising statements by rich boys. Ed Miliband, nail this hypocrite before he insults the poor, who are the biggest givers and ask for nought.

Pat Edlin
N1