FabSwingers.com > Forums > Politics > Russian influence in UK
Russian influence in UK
Jump to: Newest in thread
| |||
| |||
| |||
"maybe just maybe all this russian money in the uk and europe could actually stop the war. The only way to stop putin is from the inside im sure he is not worried about sanctions but his cronies who are near to him might well be.They say money talks and all his mates losing so much money might just tip the scales." I agree and think it’s our only weapon in all this. Sanctions just hurt the poorer people of Russia. The problem reading the report is their influence is like a cancer through our political system so getting any politicians to act will be tough. They may talk it but that’s not the same. And for the record I’m pointing the finger at both parties who have been complicit in letting this happen. | |||
"maybe just maybe all this russian money in the uk and europe could actually stop the war. The only way to stop putin is from the inside im sure he is not worried about sanctions but his cronies who are near to him might well be.They say money talks and all his mates losing so much money might just tip the scales. I agree and think it’s our only weapon in all this. Sanctions just hurt the poorer people of Russia. The problem reading the report is their influence is like a cancer through our political system so getting any politicians to act will be tough. They may talk it but that’s not the same. And for the record I’m pointing the finger at both parties who have been complicit in letting this happen. " Not freezing russian bank accounts and assets in the uk europe and the usa that will only hurt putins inner circle. | |||
"maybe just maybe all this russian money in the uk and europe could actually stop the war. The only way to stop putin is from the inside im sure he is not worried about sanctions but his cronies who are near to him might well be.They say money talks and all his mates losing so much money might just tip the scales. I agree and think it’s our only weapon in all this. Sanctions just hurt the poorer people of Russia. The problem reading the report is their influence is like a cancer through our political system so getting any politicians to act will be tough. They may talk it but that’s not the same. And for the record I’m pointing the finger at both parties who have been complicit in letting this happen. Not freezing russian bank accounts and assets in the uk europe and the usa that will only hurt putins inner circle." Do you mean “by” freezing or did you actually mean to say “not” freezing as I don’t understand that, sorry? | |||
"Sorry this is long Think this except from the Intelligence & Security Committee of parliament report, published way back in 2013 and it answers a lot of why the government don’t bother questioning the Russians in our society at all. Remember this is produced by an all party committee and senior MPs such as Javid and Wallace were involved in compiling this . They know this is happening and has become worse since the report. “Welcoming oligarchs with open arms” is the title. “49. Whilst the Russian elite have developed ties with a number of countries in recent years, it would appear that the UK has been viewed as a particularly favourable destination for Russian oligarchs and their money. It is widely recognised that the key to London’s appeal was the exploitation of the UK’s investor visa scheme, introduced in 1994, followed by the promotion of a light and limited touch to regulation, with London’s strong capital and housing markets offering sound investment opportunities. The UK’s rule of law and judicial system were also seen as a draw. The UK welcomed Russian money, and few questions – if any – were asked about the provenance of this considerable wealth. It appears that the UK Government at the time held the belief (more perhaps in hope than expectation) that developing links with major Russian companies would promote good governance by encouraging ethical and transparent practices, and the adoption of a law-based commercial environment. 50. What is now clear is that it was in fact counter-productive, in that it offered ideal mechanisms by which illicit finance could be recycled through what has been referred to as the London ‘laundromat’. The money was also invested in extending patronage and building influence across a wide sphere of the British establishment – PR firms, charities, political interests, academia and cultural institutions were all willing beneficiaries of Russian money, contributing to a ‘reputation laundering’ process. In brief, Russian influence in the UK is ‘the new normal’, and there are a lot of Russians with very close links to Putin who are well integrated into the UK business and social scene, and accepted because of their wealth. This level of integration – in ‘Londongrad’ in particular – means that any measures now being taken by the Government are not preventative but rather constitute damage limitation. 51. It is not just the oligarchs either: the arrival of Russian money resulted in a growth industry of enablers – individuals and organisations who manage and lobby for the Russian elite in the UK. Lawyers, accountants, estate agents and PR professionals have played a role, wittingly or unwittingly, in the extension of Russian influence which is often linked to promoting the nefarious interests of the Russian state. A large private security industry has developed in the UK to service the needs of the Russian elite, in which British companies protect the oligarchs and their families, seek kompromat ( compromising information) on competitors, and on occasion help launder money through offshore shell companies and fabricate ‘due diligence’ reports, while lawyers provide litigation support. William Browder told the Committee that: Russian state interests, working in conjunction with and through criminal private interests, set up a ‘buffer’ of Westerners who become de facto Russian state agents, many unwittingly, but others with a reason to know exactly what they are doing and for whom. As a result, UK actors have to deal with Russian criminal interests masked as state interests, and Russian state interests masked by their Western agents.” All of the above from our own parliament. So BOTH major parties have encouraged a system where our political integrity is shot to pieces because of money. They have also both turned a blind eye to the criminal element of all this. Greed on top of greed. It’s time to clean out the sewer of our parliament. " Indeed it is. It's also worth asking why all this has been allowed to continue in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of the Crimea, in 2014. No effective sanctions were taken by the UK Government due to it. Nor were they after the Skripal poisonings, in 2018 - and nor were they, it has to be said, after the Litvinenko murder, in 2006; under Blair's Tory-lite government. There's a lot of utter nonsense being talked about Munich, lately - without, interestingly, any mention of Chamberlain, a Conservative PM, included in it - because appeasement is wrong; particularly if you're able to avoid it. Well, given how wrong it is; why have the Tories been indulging in it, as far as Putin is concerned, for the last eight years? Nobody who supports them ever wants to explain why. Which is unsurprising. Today, even Liz Truss has had something I've been making a point about for a week dawn on her - that the Russians can keep up what they're doing with their troops for a long time. They've got form, after all - though, to be fair, they didn't fuck about in Afghanistan to no purpose for anywhere near as long as the USA and UK did. | |||
"maybe just maybe all this russian money in the uk and europe could actually stop the war. The only way to stop putin is from the inside im sure he is not worried about sanctions but his cronies who are near to him might well be.They say money talks and all his mates losing so much money might just tip the scales. I agree and think it’s our only weapon in all this. Sanctions just hurt the poorer people of Russia. The problem reading the report is their influence is like a cancer through our political system so getting any politicians to act will be tough. They may talk it but that’s not the same. And for the record I’m pointing the finger at both parties who have been complicit in letting this happen. Not freezing russian bank accounts and assets in the uk europe and the usa that will only hurt putins inner circle. Do you mean “by” freezing or did you actually mean to say “not” freezing as I don’t understand that, sorry? " sorry yes i ment it wont hurt your everyday russian but the people around him,just like any other mafia if he costs them money they will replace him. | |||
"maybe just maybe all this russian money in the uk and europe could actually stop the war. The only way to stop putin is from the inside im sure he is not worried about sanctions but his cronies who are near to him might well be.They say money talks and all his mates losing so much money might just tip the scales. I agree and think it’s our only weapon in all this. Sanctions just hurt the poorer people of Russia. The problem reading the report is their influence is like a cancer through our political system so getting any politicians to act will be tough. They may talk it but that’s not the same. And for the record I’m pointing the finger at both parties who have been complicit in letting this happen. Not freezing russian bank accounts and assets in the uk europe and the usa that will only hurt putins inner circle. Do you mean “by” freezing or did you actually mean to say “not” freezing as I don’t understand that, sorry? sorry yes i ment it wont hurt your everyday russian but the people around him,just like any other mafia if he costs them money they will replace him." Thanks I thought I just being a bit dim again. I’ve been thinking lots on this and without any bias what on earth can we do to get rid of another contrys nationals having so much influence? I’m struggling to have anything constructive to say other than do a guy Fawkes and revamp all the rules. Sone limited ideas such as Once the queens gone get rid of the royals . Disband the lords for a new higher tier of say 250 non partisan sense checkers. Stop all political funding Russian and union. State limits based on voting numbers . Pay MPs a proper wage but reform expenses to “need” only. No family jobs. No consultancies and no follow on jobs to avoid any cosy pocket lining. Re enforce the independence of the judiciary and police. All ideas but in reality how do we really effect change as I honestly believe whichever side of the political fence you sit our system has a very bad smell right now. | |||
"maybe just maybe all this russian money in the uk and europe could actually stop the war. The only way to stop putin is from the inside im sure he is not worried about sanctions but his cronies who are near to him might well be.They say money talks and all his mates losing so much money might just tip the scales. I agree and think it’s our only weapon in all this. Sanctions just hurt the poorer people of Russia. The problem reading the report is their influence is like a cancer through our political system so getting any politicians to act will be tough. They may talk it but that’s not the same. And for the record I’m pointing the finger at both parties who have been complicit in letting this happen. Not freezing russian bank accounts and assets in the uk europe and the usa that will only hurt putins inner circle. Do you mean “by” freezing or did you actually mean to say “not” freezing as I don’t understand that, sorry? sorry yes i ment it wont hurt your everyday russian but the people around him,just like any other mafia if he costs them money they will replace him. Thanks I thought I just being a bit dim again. I’ve been thinking lots on this and without any bias what on earth can we do to get rid of another contrys nationals having so much influence? I’m struggling to have anything constructive to say other than do a guy Fawkes and revamp all the rules. Sone limited ideas such as Once the queens gone get rid of the royals . Disband the lords for a new higher tier of say 250 non partisan sense checkers. Stop all political funding Russian and union. State limits based on voting numbers . Pay MPs a proper wage but reform expenses to “need” only. No family jobs. No consultancies and no follow on jobs to avoid any cosy pocket lining. Re enforce the independence of the judiciary and police. All ideas but in reality how do we really effect change as I honestly believe whichever side of the political fence you sit our system has a very bad smell right now. " got to ageee with jackal on every point here it’s the only way but I won’t hold me breath the level of corruption now is getting to the levels of a third world country where we expect it and put up with it | |||
"maybe just maybe all this russian money in the uk and europe could actually stop the war. The only way to stop putin is from the inside im sure he is not worried about sanctions but his cronies who are near to him might well be.They say money talks and all his mates losing so much money might just tip the scales. I agree and think it’s our only weapon in all this. Sanctions just hurt the poorer people of Russia. The problem reading the report is their influence is like a cancer through our political system so getting any politicians to act will be tough. They may talk it but that’s not the same. And for the record I’m pointing the finger at both parties who have been complicit in letting this happen. Not freezing russian bank accounts and assets in the uk europe and the usa that will only hurt putins inner circle. Do you mean “by” freezing or did you actually mean to say “not” freezing as I don’t understand that, sorry? sorry yes i ment it wont hurt your everyday russian but the people around him,just like any other mafia if he costs them money they will replace him. Thanks I thought I just being a bit dim again. I’ve been thinking lots on this and without any bias what on earth can we do to get rid of another contrys nationals having so much influence? I’m struggling to have anything constructive to say other than do a guy Fawkes and revamp all the rules. Sone limited ideas such as Once the queens gone get rid of the royals . Disband the lords for a new higher tier of say 250 non partisan sense checkers. Stop all political funding Russian and union. State limits based on voting numbers . Pay MPs a proper wage but reform expenses to “need” only. No family jobs. No consultancies and no follow on jobs to avoid any cosy pocket lining. Re enforce the independence of the judiciary and police. All ideas but in reality how do we really effect change as I honestly believe whichever side of the political fence you sit our system has a very bad smell right now. got to ageee with jackal on every point here it’s the only way but I won’t hold me breath the level of corruption now is getting to the levels of a third world country where we expect it and put up with it " Thanks Foxy and I too struggle to see how we can come back from this. | |||
 | |||
"well over 700 russians have bought uk citizenship from the conservative and unionist party government with prices starting at 2 millions pounds rising to 10 million for fast track granting of citizenship. Since 2010, at least £1,157,433 has been donated to the party through British citizens who were formerly Russian citizens or are married to Russians or their associated companies. The UK's National Crime Agencyestimates that £100bn in “dirty money” is funnelled into the UK each year, mainly from Russia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Far East. the conservative and unionist party government's increasingly staggering level of corruption has rendered them unelectable. while those that still choose to enable their corruption by continuing to vote for them are complicit and themselves both corrupt & morally bankrupt. "Conservative voters simply don't care that their party works for their donors, if they're Russian or not makes no odds. | |||
| |||
"well over 700 russians have bought uk citizenship from the conservative and unionist party government with prices starting at 2 millions pounds rising to 10 million for fast track granting of citizenship. Since 2010, at least £1,157,433 has been donated to the party through British citizens who were formerly Russian citizens or are married to Russians or their associated companies. The UK's National Crime Agencyestimates that £100bn in “dirty money” is funnelled into the UK each year, mainly from Russia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Far East. the conservative and unionist party government's increasingly staggering level of corruption has rendered them unelectable. while those that still choose to enable their corruption by continuing to vote for them are complicit and themselves both corrupt & morally bankrupt. "Actually according the BBC the fast crack visa system has processed 14000 Russians since 1994 when John Major introduced it. They must have over £2m each to be considered . The more they have the quicker the process which begs the question do they get less scrutiny if they are richer? Why else is it quicker ? | |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
"well over 700 russians have bought uk citizenship from the conservative and unionist party government with prices starting at 2 millions pounds rising to 10 million for fast track granting of citizenship. Since 2010, at least £1,157,433 has been donated to the party through British citizens who were formerly Russian citizens or are married to Russians or their associated companies. The UK's National Crime Agencyestimates that £100bn in “dirty money” is funnelled into the UK each year, mainly from Russia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Far East. the conservative and unionist party government's increasingly staggering level of corruption has rendered them unelectable. while those that still choose to enable their corruption by continuing to vote for them are complicit and themselves both corrupt & morally bankrupt.
Actually according the BBC the fast crack visa system has processed 14000 Russians since 1994 when John Major introduced it. They must have over £2m each to be considered . The more they have the quicker the process which begs the question do they get less scrutiny if they are richer? Why else is it quicker ? "The fast-track "golden" visa scheme was introduced by Gordon Brown in 2008. 2541 Russians have taken advantage of such scheme. | |||
| |||
| |||
"well over 700 russians have bought uk citizenship from the conservative and unionist party government with prices starting at 2 millions pounds rising to 10 million for fast track granting of citizenship. Since 2010, at least £1,157,433 has been donated to the party through British citizens who were formerly Russian citizens or are married to Russians or their associated companies. The UK's National Crime Agencyestimates that £100bn in “dirty money” is funnelled into the UK each year, mainly from Russia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Far East. the conservative and unionist party government's increasingly staggering level of corruption has rendered them unelectable. while those that still choose to enable their corruption by continuing to vote for them are complicit and themselves both corrupt & morally bankrupt.
Actually according the BBC the fast crack visa system has processed 14000 Russians since 1994 when John Major introduced it. They must have over £2m each to be considered . The more they have the quicker the process which begs the question do they get less scrutiny if they are richer? Why else is it quicker ?
The fast-track "golden" visa scheme was introduced by Gordon Brown in 2008.
2541 Russians have taken advantage of such scheme. "That’s from the bbc news site you have those numbers. The immigration rules were changed by John Major The golden visa was set up in 1994 by John Major and re-launched in 2008 by Gordon Brown in its latest guise. Hence my aim at both parties . In 2015 and 2019 requirements were very slightly tightened after it was found the scheme was at risk of being used for money laundering. In your article it’s estimated that 94k properties are owned in the U.K. by Russians through. Offshore business usually a U.K. dominion. Tony Blair bought one such property and claimed the seller wanted it that way even though Blair avoided half a million stamp duty. Blair did not offer to pay the equivalent tax as the law lets him off. | |||
| |||
| |||
"excellent investigative journalism by the guardian newspaper exposing the conservative and unionist party government's profiteering from the cash generating visa scheme has embarressed the conservative and unionist party government into abruptly ending it in an attempt to cover up the extent of their corruption and the colossal sums that the party has benefited from. access capitalism laid bare. "So are you happy or not?  | |||
"Pritti axed the scheme last night no new applications will be allowed." Looks like they may also scrap the system retroactively affecting those that are already here. | |||
"Pritti axed the scheme last night no new applications will be allowed. Looks like they may also scrap the system retroactively affecting those that are already here. " That would be good news but like the expenses recommendations in 2009 which are still ignored Do we have faith any party will follow through? | |||
"Pritti axed the scheme last night no new applications will be allowed. Looks like they may also scrap the system retroactively affecting those that are already here. That would be good news but like the expenses recommendations in 2009 which are still ignored Do we have faith any party will follow through? " considering that the conservative and unionist party government refused to include debate over the financial bill that would have prevented a large proportion of the 'dirty money' from entering the countries economy in this parliamentary term, then it would appear that it is doubtful. speculation as to how another party would tackle the problem is currently irrelevant. | |||
