The Kintyre Forum

Wha's like us? Certainly not Sean Connery. I read today that his autobiography is being published next month and I burst out laughing when I saw the title: Being a Scot. Aye, being a Scot in Spain, LA and The Bahamas! Now there's a professional Scotsman if I ever saw one.

If I had £85million and could live anywhere I could, it would certainly be Scotland. If his so-called beloved SNP get in and create an independent Scotland, will he be moving there to pay his tax? Don't bank on it.

I've often thought it's a bit of a joke for the SNP to trundle him out as one of their greatest supporters when he doesn't even live in the country.

It is an insult to their potential supporters that they will be induced to vote for them because a celebrity supports them. He probably doesn't even have a vote.

we can do without the likes of him!on your bike laddie.

What's it got to do with how much money he earns Govangirl? How much would you have to be paid to live in Scotland.

You choose not to live here, and pass comment on what you think is right/wrong on the subject of Scottish independence - why isn't he entitled to do the same?

Sheik Yir Erse wrote:What's it got to do with how much money he earns Govangirl? How much would you have to be paid to live in Scotland.

You choose not to live here, and pass comment on what you think is right/wrong on the subject of Scottish independence - why isn't he entitled to do the same?

I tend to agree with you Sheik. Surely his book isn't incorrect as he is a Scot and staying elsewhere doesn't change that.

I was waiting for someone to come up with that one! Well, to me, it's obvious. Some of us cannot choose to live in a certain place because we need to go where the work is. If we didn't need to work, we could live anywhere. I just happen to dislike the fact that he lives as a tax exile and then has the flaming cheek to tell people how to vote. Let him endorse whisky, haggis, kilts, The Krankies - whatever he likes but not the future of a country he has no desire to live in or contribute to with taxes. I pay taxes myself THEREFORE I feel I am able to pass comment on the matter.

Simple, my friend.

Govangirl wrote:I was waiting for someone to come up with that one! Well, to me, it's obvious. Some of us cannot choose to live in a certain place because we need to go where the work is. If we didn't need to work, we could live anywhere. I just happen to dislike the fact that he lives as a tax exile and then has the flaming cheek to tell people how to vote. Let him endorse whisky, haggis, kilts, The Krankies - whatever he likes but not the future of a country he has no desire to live in or contribute to with taxes. I pay taxes myself THEREFORE I feel I am able to pass comment on the matter.

Simple, my friend.

Ahem Connery actually does pay taxes in the UK, think it was over 3 million pounds in the 6 years to 2003, so I think then then he is entitled to speak on the matter too, according to your criteria. He would not be allowed to make donations either to the SNP if he was not a UK taxpayer, as it is against the law of the country to do so.

I dont pay UK taxes and being honest I have no real desire to move back to anywhere in the UK at the moment as the employment situation for me in Netherlands is far better but does not mean that I dont care or view with interest what is happening back home - as far as I am concerned I was Scottish the day I was born, am Scottish now and will still be Scottish the day I die no matter where I live in this planet and if I feel like commenting on Scotland I shall do so too

I take your point entirely but you are not a poster boy for the SNP and that's my point. I have no idea about 2003 but he certainly hasn't paid taxes for the last five. Sorry for upsetting all you Connery fans but I just don't get the idea of a tax exile celebrity continually popping up to tell people how to vote.

Govangirl wrote:I take your point entirely but you are not a poster boy for the SNP and that's my point. I have no idea about 2003 but he certainly hasn't paid taxes for the last five. Sorry for upsetting all you Connery fans but I just don't get the idea of a tax exile celebrity continually popping up to tell people how to vote.

Not a massive fan of Connery either but how do you know he has not paid tax in the last 5 years - am not being silly asking this but the only people who wil know if he has paid tax is Connery himself and the tax authorities. Now I assume he has paid tax in the last 5 year because he has donated to the SNP in that period and as I stated if he had not being paying tax in the UK these donations would be illegal.

I would imagine that anyone in that situation would possibly be liable for some UK Tax if they have business interests or properties in the UK, but if they themselves are not resident in the UK, the bulk of their earnings would not be liable to UK Tax, if earned abroad.

Wee Toon Ajax wrote:Not a massive fan of Connery either but how do you know he has not paid tax in the last 5 years

Because earlier this year he admitted it when challenged about promoting a party of a country he doesn't live in. He attempted to justify it by saying he gives to Scottish charities. Couldn't link the two myself!
And I do seem to be giving off the wrong message here - of course a Scot anywhere in the world can comment on Scotland but I just feel it's a different thing when it's a political campaign, that's all. If I was a celebrity down here in England popping up consistently in my kilt and telling Scotland how to vote, I'm quite sure Sheik would be the first one to proverbially jump down my throat.
I'm getting used to it now
But maybe Sean just rocks his boat

I'm not a huge Connery fan either, but I'd echo WTA's sentiments. I think he's entitled to say what he wants and financially support who he wants, just the same as every other person who either lives here or was born here. I really don't think it matters how much you earn, where your live, or how big a celebrity you are. Which is what I read into the first post on the thread.

Anyway Govangirl, we all know you're a big celeb down there, and you're certainly the most famous Girl from Govan on this Forum, and we wouldn't want to be without you

Sheik Yir Erse wrote:Anyway Govangirl, we all know you're a big celeb down there

Oh if only you knew!!!!!!!!!!!!

And didn't Mr Connery do the same, the old charmer? "There are worse things than attacking a woman". Well, you just keep attacking Sheik 007, you just keep attacking, son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And if anyone takes the wrong message from this too - 'cos it's a JOKE! - then I apologise!