Charity begins at home

Here we go again!...

Whilst I am duly sympathetic to the plight of those starving in refugee camps in East Africa and am duly impressed by the generosity of the British people in donating £15 million of the money they are not supposed to have, I continue to draw a line at enforced charity giving.

On top of the £15 million, the government has announced that it will contribute a further £52 million to the appeal. This is all very well, but that £52 million of taxpayers money on top of the £15 million that the taxpayers have already given voluntarily. In my view, that's not on.

It's one thing to be asked to donate. It's quite another thing to have it taken off you via the tax system and donated on your behalf without asking for or attaining your consent.

Maybe the people in the horn of Africa should at least try and sort out their own differences and problems. Perhaps their governments should take some responsibility. Or maybe people just shouldn't choose to live where there is no viable life support?

Whatever, it's a good excuse for yet another concert...