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Cardinal Keith O'Brien Attacks David Cameron On Wealth Inequality

PA  |  Posted: 29/04/2012 11:09 Updated: 29/04/2012 11:14   PA

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One of Britain's most senior Roman Catholics has accused David Cameron of ignoring the poor while protecting his "very rich colleagues" in the City.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the head of the Catholic church in Scotland, said it was "immoral" how the less well-off had been made to "suffer" for the failings in the financial services sector.

In an interview with BBC1's Sunday Politics in Scotland, he urged the Prime Minister to introduce a "Robin Hood tax" on financial transactions to raise money for the poor.

Mr Cameron is opposed to unilateral action on a financial transactions levy and described plans for an EU-wide scheme as
"madness".

But Cardinal O'Brien said: "My message to David Cameron, as the head of our Government, is to seriously think again about this Robin Hood tax, the tax to help the poor by taking a little bit from the rich.

"The poor have suffered tremendously from the financial disasters of recent years and nothing, really, has been done by the very rich people to help them.

"And I am saying to the Prime Minister, 'look, don't just protect your very rich colleagues in the financial industry, consider the moral obligation to help the poor of our country'."

The Cardinal said he was not only concerned about people in "abject poverty" but also people who might have thought themselves "reasonably well-off".

"People who have saved for their pensions and now realise their pension funds are no more, people who are considering giving up their retirement homes that they have been saving for, poverty affecting young couples and so on and so on," he said.

"It is these people who have had to suffer because of the financial disasters of recent years and it is immoral.

"It is not moral, just to ignore them and to say 'struggle along', while the rich can go sailing along in their own sweet way."

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Government inherited enormous debt but the Prime Minister is determined to help people who are struggling with the consequences of that.

"That's why the last Budget took two million people on the lowest incomes out of tax altogether and from April 2012 pensioners will see the largest ever cash rise in the basic state pension."

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One of Britain's most senior Roman Catholics has accused David Cameron of ignoring the poor while protecting his "very rich colleagues" in the City. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the head of the Catholic...
One of Britain's most senior Roman Catholics has accused David Cameron of ignoring the poor while protecting his "very rich colleagues" in the City. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the head of the Catholic...
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Prof Pravda
41 Fans
01:20 PM on 05/01/2012
If this was an atheist, or a slightly dodgy atheist, surrounding his wealth, saying the same, I'd still agree with the comments, he's got it spot on & respect his view. If an atheist wants to stand up and state, sensible criticism against bad policy against the Govt. they get my support too.
(No offence intended against atheists, sometimes we should stand together, if the common factor is right, regardless of religious belief)
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smsom
1 Fans
10:05 AM on 04/30/2012
Politics and religion should not be mixed. Ireland being a classic example why. Churches should have no say in the political circles.If they have an issue with poverty then they should raise momey or donate some of their own to those in need, not challenge politicians to give while they take.
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Southern law girl
Researching my viewpoint....
161 Fans
12:40 PM on 04/30/2012
"Churches should have no say in the political circles"

What if the State becomes oppressive ensuring individuals cannot practice their faith/religion? Whilst the ideal is not to mix religion and politics, we have the right to freedom of speech, that includes the Cardinal. This technically is not mixing religion and politics, just right to free speech, but the issue of Bishops of the Church of England in the House of Lords, that is mixing religion with politics.

The Catholic Church donates millions to the needy. Even as a small child I can remember every Lent filling in my little card ticking off pennies I saved to make up to 5/- for the poor, that was the very start at seven years of age when I first became aware of the plight of the poor, and out of this my future interest in peoples rights and freedoms was born.

"not challenge politicians to give while they take."

The above is a bit rich! Politicians have done the taking, remember the expenses issues!? Also, of course politicians should be challenged to the hilt about any controversial issue, they have a duty to consider all aspects of civilian life, that is why they're there.

It may help you to understand what I say if you read about our Civil and Political rights, enshrined in laws under the United Nations, an interesting subject.

Best wishes!
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DaisyMay123
66 Fans
01:10 PM on 04/30/2012
I think the Cardinal has been seeing/learning the affects this Government is having on the poor and pensioners then felt that he had to speak out.
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DaisyMay123
66 Fans
05:47 PM on 04/30/2012
The Cardinal like everybody else in this country can say exactly what he wants to and he is correct in what he says whether you like it or not.

The Catholic Church gave millions to charities that are needy both in this country and abroad and the fact of the matter is that some of the proposals this Government have implemented are totally out of order and we shouldn't have to put up with they as they are a total disgrace.
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riked
0 Fans
08:30 AM on 04/30/2012
How about the Church getting off their backsides - stop breaching about looking after the poor, sell their estates, convert their churches into homes and stop plagueing the people earning the money. The church is extremely wealthy - you never hear them recommending to distribute their wealth to the needy! If there is one thing I can't stand is hypocrisy.
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zownlow
16 Fans
09:01 AM on 04/30/2012
you are talking about some of the state churches obviously,well you maybe correct about some of them,but the majority of christians,not just in the uk but worldwide,dont have much money,meet in homes ,halls the street corner,do a lot of goodthings and many share what little they have,for their riches or rewards is eternal life in heaven,
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opaqueentity
6 Fans
 
03:43 PM on 04/30/2012
But those who have money should spend it if they want to be holier than thou.
Their fancy hats and gowns would easily keep a family in food for a week or two.

Or maybe ask why God is allowing such things to happen. Surely a real god would provide manna from heaven for those that need it at the very least? He did it once before. Why not again?
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DaisyMay123
66 Fans
05:50 PM on 04/30/2012
There is no hyprocrisy at all, just because you don't hear about the Catholic Church giving money to charities etc, it doesn't mean that they are not and in deed they give millions away every year to support charities etc and it sickens me with people who don't know what they are talking about spin a yarn of total lies.

The Cardinal is correct in telling Cameron his policies are wrong and there are no two ways about it.
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gemini13
18 Fans
08:06 AM on 04/30/2012
How can any of our politicians understand how the less well off in this country have to struggle. These "leaders" of ours are all millionaires who fleece the system to pay for second homes and claim everything back on their expenses, which are once more, under wraps. So much for transparency!! We will never get a fair deal in this country as long as wealthy people remain detached from real life.
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opaqueentity
6 Fans
 
04:53 PM on 04/30/2012
Vote for someone else athen nd make sure that say, the majority of voters, don't vote for the major parties. Or maybe even stand yourself. If miore individuals did there wouldn't need to be the rich in charge. Oh don't forget to dedicate many years of your life to politics before you get to be an MP. Damn people working for the public good!

The point is that people vote for them and they do what they were elected to do. That is democracy. We get what we vote for.
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zownlow
16 Fans
07:43 AM on 04/30/2012
apart from the very rich,i wonder how many people really think the uk is improved,since Thatcher helped launch,privatization,and globilization,
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Madforit
43 Fans
02:17 AM on 04/30/2012
The best thing to do is vote the con-Lib out on 3rd May. The millionaire cabinet members have not an iota of an idea how the people at the lower end are unable to make ends meet.Granted,Labour may not be better than the Con-Lib Pact but at least it will let the government know that we, the general public do have the power to remove the people who supposedly make decisions to make our lives better.

The Con-Lib MPs should be aware that in the next election they will be removed from power by wiping them out at the local level and that poor will not carry the burden of the elite making mistakes and just saying they need to do better whilst we are unable to feed ourselves and our young. Con-Lib need to be told that

Let's vote the Con-LIB out on 3rd May!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
NOSHER
66 Fans
07:57 AM on 04/30/2012
i agree mate as a labour voter all my life i dont want them in iether, because they only fill there own pockets as well as these bandits that are in. i dont know how to vote but where i live theyve told me its too late to send my postal vote out yet its been sent out on time before and i cant go to the polling stations is it an excuse to cut down on voters or is it not what a shambles
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Southern law girl
Researching my viewpoint....
161 Fans
12:47 PM on 04/30/2012
I say with respect. Are you aware there are many millionaires in the Labour Party? Harriet Harman is Lord Longford's niece, she went to St Paul's public school, same school as George Osborne, Blair went to a public school and Oxford, his children public school, I could mention many others? Many went to public school, top public schools, I think many people don't know this, or don't want to know this, or simply miss the point. However, I am not loyal to any one political party, I shall be voting UKIP next GE. It is a fallacy to say Labour are for the poor, they are not, they are the same as Liberal and Conservative, out of touch!
Best wishes!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
NOSHER
66 Fans
01:46 PM on 04/30/2012
i agree
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DaisyMay123
66 Fans
05:36 PM on 04/30/2012
You have valid points but it has been a longstanding "tradition" that Labour have been supported by poorer people and the wealthy by the richest, but there are people who stray to all parties and personally I vote for the one who does the best in the area they are representing not which party they are with.
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romfordkid
41 Fans
01:37 AM on 04/30/2012
Amazing how the royal family get criticised for being parasites and yet these public and private sector parasites are ignored and the government helps them
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
arkymorgan
Nobody knows the trouble I've been...
837 Fans
02:44 AM on 04/30/2012
At least the Royals have PR value, luring romantic Americans to spend their holidays in Britain...
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RamblerBill
33 Fans
12:39 AM on 04/30/2012
"That's why the last Budget took two million people on the lowest incomes out of tax altogether "

But Mr Cameron, It also gave exactly the same amount of pre-tax income to rich people and also lowered their tax liability at the top end! If the top rate of tax wasn't bringing in enough money , common sense dictates that it should have gone up. I remember those heady days when we were told that it was worthwhile giving rich people more money because of the 'trickle down' effect. However the reality is it becomes an 'artesian well' effect where money is denied to those at the bottom and those at the top receive exponentially more.
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Prove It theres no test
45 Fans
12:03 AM on 04/30/2012
Thanks! Greedy financial sector & Cr8p Govt! (Thanks too, Gordon for giving pension holidays to companies) - The Vatican might not be all it's cracked up to be ...... religion aside & hypocrisy this man has pointed out some very valid facts - just stating what many think / know.
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Prove It theres no test
45 Fans
12:09 AM on 04/30/2012
I wouldn't mind more days off work, for the workforce in Catholic countries!
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Southern law girl
Researching my viewpoint....
161 Fans
05:25 PM on 04/30/2012
I have spent my life campaigning for peoples rights, so I firmly agree with you on all points! Definitely more days off for the workforce in Catholic Countries. I have been to some of the South American Countries, very poor. It was sad to visit Bogata, very sad. However, I did see a documentary on Rio the other day in relation to sports etc., and they are slowly but surely improving life in the poorest communities there.

Best wishes, oh, and I like your husky or wolf?
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waddytog
97 Fans
11:18 PM on 04/29/2012
the more the government take off poor people, the less there is for church collections.
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The truth is out there
42 Fans
10:57 PM on 04/29/2012
"That's why the last Budget took two million people on the lowest incomes out of tax altogether and from April 2012 pensioners will see the largest ever cash rise in the basic state pension."

Good, but hes taxing them in other ways by allowing petrol companies and landlords to raise their prices instead. Then he's reduced benefits and cut benefits compleately for some desperate people. He's also reduced taxes on the wealthiest people in society too and how is he paying for that little christmass gift ?.
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Mr Pedro
55 Fans
08:04 AM on 04/30/2012
He had no choice re the State Pension, pensions rise with the rate of inflation which is is pegged to th RPI. Inflation was running at about 4.9- 5.00 % so the pension rose in line with that figure.

They have now changed the rules, pensions will rise with the CPI ( Consummer Price Index) which is a lower figure. They put some great spin on this saying pensioners given hugh rise in budget when they know full well they had to do it.
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FedUpWoman
14 Fans
10:54 PM on 04/29/2012
You don't have to be a cardinal to know these right wing barstewards are attacking the vulnerable, disabled, the old, BUT what he has got is clout. What he says is listened to and reported in the mainstream press (does that include the Murdoch media empire, though?) so what he says, though we have been saying for weeks/months gets reported and at least gets into the public eye (and, possibly, Cameron's ear, but I wouldn't bet on that). This is from a 64 year old very lapsed Catholic, who has become agnostic since 16.
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Philip1win
28 Fans
10:44 PM on 04/29/2012
Forget what this man stands for or religious belief etc. Think of him in the scenario of an average joe. He's just merely pointed out some valid observation in the form of comments, that a lot of average people can reflect with.
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Southern law girl
Researching my viewpoint....
161 Fans
12:50 PM on 04/30/2012
You are correct to say this. I made the point, it is his right to freedom of speech, same as everyone!
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opaqueentity
6 Fans
 
03:45 PM on 04/30/2012
Although he represents a groups that is 1. very rich indeed and 2. supposed to be representing someone that controls everything. Where is god now then? Or indeed at many other events in the world?
I guess God only cares about a few people after all.
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Philip1win
28 Fans
04:07 PM on 04/30/2012
Sometimes I amaze myself! lol.
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Pro veritate
27 Fans
10:14 PM on 04/29/2012
Well done that cardinal. This reinforces the tradition of the Catholic church not only standing up for the poor over the millenia, but also of taking practical action to help them.

Until the destruction of the monasteries and the seizing of church assets by the crown at the reformation, the Catholic church was the only refuge for the poor in Britain. Thereafter, they had no-one looking after their intersts for centuries.

It is absolutel right that the Church is taking this stance, and shame on the secularists below howling their resentment of it .
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