Stephen commented "This issue is clearly one that concerns a large number of people in the High Peak and so that as many High Peak residents as possible can know my views I have decided to share them more widely".

The Tax Dodging Bill Campaign (http://taxdodgingbill.org.uk/the-bill/) is calling on whoever forms the next Government in May to introduce a tax dodging bill in the first 100 days after the election. This campaign is made up of a broad coalition of seventeen organisations (http://taxdodgingbill.org.uk/whos-with-us/) and aims to:

• Make it harder for big companies to dodge UK taxes and ensure they're not getting unfair tax breaks
• Ensure UK tax rules don't encourage big companies to avoid tax in developing countries
• Make the UK tax regime more transparent and tougher on tax dodging

These measures could raise funds to help tackle poverty both in the UK and in developing countries.

Stephen commented "Like many of you I find it very concerning that such huge sums of money are lost to countries all over the world, not just here in the UK, via large companies taking part in "tax avoidance" schemes. Whilst legally tax avoidance and tax evasion are different entities I believe that morally there is little if any difference between the two. You can therefore probably already tell that I am definitely within the 85% of the UK public that feel "tax dodging" is morally wrong even if it is legal!"

"I feel those supporting the "Tax Dodging Bill Campaign" and calling on the next Government to introduce a "tax dodging bill" in the first 100 days after the election are doing the right thing, and I will be adding my support. The three main proposed outcomes of the proposed "tax dodging bill" are not only desirable for moral reasons but as you the additional money raised could help tackle poverty throughout the world, and that alone would be worth implementing such a bill for. If elected I would support the progress of such a bill in Parliament."