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David West

David West

@davidjwest.bsky.social

140 followers 65 following 1.4K posts

I consider myself a normal bloke. Sadly a description few others recognise. Used to be a doctor. Now retired so basically on holiday the whole time and consequently struggling with weight.

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David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2h

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2h

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2h

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 3h

Most countries in the EU have better universal healthcare systems than the NHS and their citizens can afford it.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 3h

John please have a read of this. I am utterly opposed to Reform and would hate to see them form a govt but this nonsense from Labour that (first the Tories and now) Reform will make healthcare unaffordable is dangerous, mischievous, irresponsible, frightening and false. fullfact.org/health/refor...

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 3h

I was hoping the doctors had grown up a bit.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 16h

Governing is not as easy as opposing is it @wesstreeting.bsky.social

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 1d

They may have added a few voters but policy should not be based just on what is popular with voters but what will most likely achieve end points eg growing economy, raising tax take to improve services. There is precious little evidence a wealth tax will achieve either and risks doing the opposite.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

While house prices are now -2.3% below their August 2022 peak on a nominal basis, in real terms (adjusting for inflation), they have fallen by -10.5% over this period, according to Nationwide and the ONS.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

I was talking about entrepreneurs.
And in any case a quick google shows…
“The majority of people on the complete Sunday Times Rich List are considered self-made, building their fortunes through their own businesses and entrepreneurial efforts, as noted by The Times and the BBC. “

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

But he (or she!) has most likely put a huge effort into making the £9m in first place and the £12m is likely same in real terms as the £9m was.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

A single yacht can often cost multi millions so most multimillionaires and indeed most billionaires will only have at most one yacht at a time.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

There is a difference but the fact is business owners don’t work their balls off and take huge risks to meet their needs. They do it to satisfy wants. Some of those wants are the satisfaction that comes from doing good for staff and society. Some of the wants may be a yacht or similar.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

I’ll take that as agreement John!

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

No! The proposal is to tax the asset not the income from the assets. That’s 1% each and every year on total assets above £10m. On top of the tax on income from those assets and on top of CGT on any increase in value of assets disposed of eg shares.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

And there is nothing to prevent these “actual” millionaires paying the extra tax they think they should pay.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

That’s not what the supporters of wealth taxes are suggesting and already highest rate of income tax is 45%

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

Well the ones who become wealthy do! And they are the ones targeted by these suggested wealth tax.
And the others who don’t succeed will have wanted to so the effect of wealth taxes will be to discourage people to grow businesses.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

Have you run a fast growing business?

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

I’m not talking about people moving from a job at Tesco to building a business. I’m talking about those who have already got a business going and making the decision whether to grow like mad (risky and really hard work) or just stay as they are. Why put in the extra effort and take extra risks?

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

Yes. They will be less likely to put the extra effort in if they think or know that their rewards will be decimated. It’s pretty obvious.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

It depends what you mean by working hard. I doubt they work any harder than your average worker. And most definitely not as hard as someone starting and growing a successful business would have to.
Good on you for doing what you do. And I’m glad you love the job but even so you deserve more pay.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

What sort of business is that? I have already stated that care workers should get paid more per hour. Are you in the care business?

I’m genuinely surprised that (and wonder why) you think I am a horrid person for the views I expressed.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

You have missed the crucial word “just”.

David West @davidjwest.bsky.social · 2d

Absolutely I am. The guy is a dangerous fool.

Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 3d

US Secretary of State for Health RFK Jr,

"There is no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective"

Anyone else worried about these nonsensical conspiracy theories being mainstreamed?