Why don’t people living in Britain like expats? For many years Britons living in Spain have been demonised by certain sections of the British media as being gin-drinking tax exiles, who have nothing better to do than moan about Britain.
To be honest there is little sympathy for the plight of expats in Spain. But now our place at the “top of the hate list” has been taken by those living in Dubai. There is little sympathy for them even though they are living near a war zone and have come under attack.
Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey argued that British expats in Dubai who benefit from UK armed forces protection should pay their “fair share” of tax, suggesting they are evading UK taxes. He claimed that these individuals are “tax exiles” and “washed-up footballers” who “mock ordinary people who stay in the UK and pay taxes”.
Perhaps he may have a point but only a small one. Yes, there are some Dubai exiles who have been underlining the virtues of Dubai and slamming their former lives. However, just because they live abroad, they have not surrendered their British nationality or passport. They are as British as those living in Britain. So, they went in search of a better life? Good luck to them but moving abroad has its risks.