May 13th, 2009

France Cuts Tax on Booze to Boost Economy

Guido is looking forward to summering at the Maison Secondaire even more this year. France has just cut booze and restaurant sales tax from 19.6% to to 5.5%. Booze taxes are already reasonable in France, this makes going out even more reasonable.  A three course meal in the best restaurant in the town near Chez Fawkes costs about the same as a starter in London or Dublin.  We all have to do our bit to boost international trade…


179 Comments

  1. 1
    Anonymous says:

    Fantastic! Booze cruise days are here again.

    • 12
      13eastie says:

      Always a bit of a dilemma in the Summer:

      France or Scotland

    • 14
      Firebrand says:

      Anyone notice Vince Cable in the muck raking

      Zero (and i repeat this) second home claim, as he lives in outer London and commutes by train..

      Guido… you need to damm the bad, and praise the good as much….

      Having people claim Zero compared to those who claim £20k very important!!!!

      Also nice to here GB thinking (is this really true??) about payback for days… but as ever
      he seems to have dithered and Cameron beat him to the line…. doh!

    • 69
      freddie flintoff says:

      pass da peadlos over freddies going to france

      • 79
        Spinners have nothing on Parliament says:

        (chanting) Barmy Navy. Barmy Navy. Barmy Navy.

      • 108
        freddie flintoff says:

        is there live pmq chat?

      • 120
        Liz says:

        Doesn’t look like it, Freddie. A shame – today’s promises to be a rout and I’m thoroughly looking forward to watching Michael Martin squirm in a purply fashion.

      • 126
        Peter Grimes says:

        Liz, is the ‘purply fashion’ provided by Woolas, with receipts, of course?

    • 130
      WokinghamChris says:

      Not such a dilemma, and it’s not just the booze.

      Whilst I love the scenary and so on, I get fed up with the all the nationalist guff (Saltaires over petrol stations for Christ’s sake) and over the years I have had my share of Caledonian “charm”….

      “How come you (an Englishman) are doing this work?”

      As in…. “here in Scotland”.

      When I frequently find myself working with Scots who seem to be perfectly at home in England…. taking it for granted, as it were.

      Visiting Scotland reminds me of this double standard, so I make alternative arrangements.

    • 135
      Bordeaux Binger says:

      Sluurp and sluurp again, but strictly between mouthfuls of duck, pork, beef, pate, cheese or what have you. My local restaurants and bars are going to get a hammering !

    • 160

      I don’t drink dammit!

      • 165
        Arfer Mo says:

        How can FRANCE cut their VAT on restaurant meals etc. from 19.6% to 5.5% ?

        I thought that the EU didn’t allow that ? Any advices ?

      • 166

        164 .. here here! He’s had to do some wrangling with the EU to get permission to do this.

        I remember when fish and chips was VAT free! ( 1983 at a guess?)

  2. 2
    Alastair Darling says:

    Yer should be supping on gruel and tuckin into a plate o neeps and tatties. Ne foreign grub for you, laddie. Wid’ ma dull ways I’ll make a prude o you yet and I’ll tax you jimmy.

  3. 3
    Jacko says:

    Just Imagine that lemon sucking, killjoy, tight arsed bungling sack of saggy shit Brown doing such a thing.

    He’s too busy being a bundle of pent up, manse reared spite.

    • 78
      Read & Weep says:

      quite frankly the description I have been struggling to express – well done !

  4. 4
    M.T.BUCKET says:

    They have their prioroties right,

  5. 5
    Olly boy says:

    Fantastic! Think I’ll be booking another booze cruise later this summer.

  6. 6
    Anonymous says:

    Even better than your ‘Dolly is a cauldron-stirring smearer’ announcement. Good news is rare but very welcome.

  7. 7
    Giles says:

    Come to Hong Kong, Guido.

    0% tax on wine, beer………

  8. 8

    Quite – I can enjoy an agreeable 3 course Italian lunch with the Tuscana for € 25; a nice little Japanese restaurant near Florence Ikea is the same. Its never ever less than a hundred sheets when in central London. The news today on councils’ new powers to ban happy hour completely misses the point: if it was money that was the determining factor, the wealthy would be vomiting in the gutters all weekend and it would be the poor huddled round their dining tables, not the other way round.

    • 129

      25 for you and 25 for La Tuscana? Or might you be willing to whisper the name of the nearest town, or even the street? It’s risen to 50-70 for two round here.

      • 150

        HG – 43o 48’ 05.75” N 11o 11’ 25.65” E on Google Earth: its a proper Japanese (run by a Japanese family ) restaurant, € 10 a head for lunch (great range of Bento boxes) € 20 per head for the evening feast. Location is the industrial estate near Ikea and airport, easy via bus. I have the name and number somewhere if you’re interested. [apols for the OT chat, Gido]

      • 158
        fewqwer says:

        I’m not sure I could eat a whole head for lunch.

  9. 9
    JMT says:

    Kind of puts the latest government fact-finding study of pubs under the spotlight.

    The facts that they intend to find are:

    Breweries and landlords are to blame for rising costs.
    Breweries and landlords are to blame for falling customer numbers.
    Government tax-rises not to blame for rising costs.
    Government smoking ban not to blame for falling customer numbers.

    • 40
      M.T.BUCKET says:

      Landlady quadruples trade at her pub in Barnley by declairing it a smokeing reaserch centre. Smokers have to fill in a questionnair regarding their smokeing habits before they light up in a designated room. source, mail online, news

      • 56
        Right Bastard says:

        One can only admire English resourcefulness.

      • 65
        wordy says:

        knock off the “e” and add “ing”

      • 95
        Feduptothebackteeth says:

        Genious

      • 178
        Johnny Boy says:

        Barnsley council say they will put a stop to it. Not sure why, she was just following the rules. Maybe she should just offer to repay her excess profits from her increased trade and they’ll leave her alone.

  10. 11

    I can’t believe you support this kind of nonesense.

    Its all down to pressure group and “whingeocracy”. Those who complain loudest get the best treatment. The farmers with the biggest tractors to park on the most important travel links get all the freebies.

    When you fart about(*) with the tax system to placate pressure groups you get more and more rules every year and end up with a horrendously complex, tedious, pointless, irritating set up.

    (*) I shall repeat “fart about” … its not about genuine tax cuts, and the opposite of removing administrative burdens from business.

    • 20
      Anonymous says:

      Ordinarily I would agree with you except in this case the high cost of drink in this country sums up the hateful, moralizing anti-fun claptrap you get from politicians, churches and medicos. Now, where’s that gin bottle …

    • 39
      Anonymous says:

      Actually the biggest whingers stormed the gates with pitchforks crying “Vive Le Nation!” and beheaded their ruler.

      Ah if only it could happen over here.

      Revolution: The ultimate whinge.

    • 137
      Thats News says:

      Tim, just because you think it is nonsense doesn’t make it so.

  11. 13
    Silvio Tanner says:

    IDLE CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPPERS ARE FINDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES INDy EXPENSE ACCOUNT AND CORPORATE TAX DODGING SECTOR

    ASTA

    • 134
      Silvio Tanner says:

      THE LATEST BANGKH OF INGLAND PRESCRIPTION FOR RECOVERY
      IS LARGE DOSES OF RISK AVERSION THERAPY
      FOLLOWED BY MASSIVE KAPITAL INVESTMENT IN THE DOWNTURN

  12. 15
    Doctor Mick says:

    Cut booze tax?

    I’ll drink to that (in an hour or so).

  13. 16
    Anonymous says:

    There’s nothing like a wee bowl of gruel on a cold morning.

  14. 17
    It's all Balls says:

    Is this your second home?

  15. 19
    Thats News says:

    And this, THIS was Brown/Darling’s best idea to boost the economy! They RAISED the tax on booze!

    How wise, how noble are our government? (On a scale of 1 to 10, they are at minus 20 and dropping like the proverbial stone.

  16. 21
    French Resident says:

    Guido

    You are right..

    But better to have a résidence secondaire than being a resident in fact

    You do not have to pay our other horrendous taxes…

    So enjoy the restaus and have a good holiday..

    You deserve it after your stout work denouncing all the Troughers…

    And I am sure Mrs Guido does as well !!

  17. 23
    resurgemus says:

    Guido

    wait until you factor in the exhange rate.

    My pint in Paris last month cost £8 and it wasn’t anywhere fancy.

    • 28
      Alex says:

      Try drinking beer instead of wine. I think you’ll find its cheaper by the pint, unless you were in a girly bar.

    • 50
      Smug Git Ben Elton says:

      It was a 500 (half litre) not a 568 which is a pint which turns out at 9.08

      And might it have been € it was bought in?

      Remember folks support the BBC who brings us great comedians like,er, gotta go there is an opening of an envelope somewhere!

    • 52
      Cassius says:

      That’s nothing, my pint costs £14 in the village.

      Mind you, it is vodka.

      • 159
        Rt Hon Sir Porky Pig MP (Bastard North) says:

        That’s nothing my earlymornin g and t is on expenses, cheers!!!

    • 89
      Nissan Micra says:

      Huh? My gallon at the local BP garage cost me £4.38 but the taste of unleaded is not growing on me. Perhaps try it with a shot of RedEx next time.

    • 92
      Airey Belvoir says:

      What exchange rate? Guido is based in Euroland.

  18. 25
    Awaiting Moderation says:

    Labour has a long-term strategy to destroy country pubs in England so that Tories have nowhere to meet to complain about the government. Any idea how it’s coming along?

    • 47
      An ordinary voter says:

      I’m still waiting for 24 hour drinking to bring about the French Cafe Culture promised by the government when they amended the licensing laws – The ambience isn’t quite same as on the Continents as you watch people throw up their cheap “Happy Hour” booze into the nearest gutter or have a piss up the nearest wall or the police throwing drunks into the back of transits on Friday & Saturday evening or come to think of it most evenings

    • 66
      A Well Travelled Nerd Who Claims Nothing on Expenses says:

      Funny you should write that.
      The source that a MP in the Northampton area put the house in the wife’s name so that he could do some serious troughing was a guy in an Irish pub who was discussing with a group of fishermen serious expense fiddling.
      Such as getting a first class ticket then down grading and pocketing the difference or even cancelling the flight and staying overnight and pocketing the full amount.
      Indeed someone claimed enough mileage to go around the equator (bigger circumference of the World) twice. Which equates to travelling 137 miles a day each and every day.

    • 72
      M.T.BUCKET says:

      Its doing very well as is their attempts to destroy the very fabric of our nation. Christianity is their latest target.

      • 123
        PC49 says:

        ‘Our nation’ has been here longer than Christianity. And it’ll be here long after the man on the cross has been forgotten.

      • 161
        C J Jung says:

        Only a bent copper or someone pretending to be copper could come out with such a short sentence with so many factual and ethical inaccuracies. You poor little retard!!!!

  19. 26
    Pissed off voter says:

    BROWN TRIUMPH

    fat chance :) just wanted to point folks at the petition (co-created by Heather Brooke of FOI renown) referred in Guido’s links

  20. 27
    eye-eye says:

    O/T But thought you would like to know how the Great Leader learned how to chuck a Nokia. Evidently Sarah his Lavender partner has been taking lessons fro Naiomi Campbell and passing them on. Also palled up with Paris Hilton whose expertise in blow jobs is for all to see on the net. Perhaps that’s what the Youtube Grin was all about.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1180972/The-night-Sarah-Brown-wowed-Paris-Hilton-star-studded-event-LA.html

  21. 29
    Right-wing social engineer says:

    All the French should be sent to the moon apart from their chefs and hot women.

  22. 31
    TOTTY WATCH says:

    I am pleased to announce that I appear nude except for a “jock” strap this morning in New Boy’s Lonely Hearts Club…published by my friend Woolas…

    Was told “jock” is fashionable nowadays…

    Just to improve your day…

    Mandy is quivering in pre-orgasmic lust..

    Your Boy’s Own Piggy Bryant

  23. 32
    Anonymous says:

    Vive La France! Vive La Revolution.

    Do you have a guillotine over there Guido? Can I borrow it for a few weeks?
    I promise to get it sharpened back to pristine once I’ve finished or I’ll buy you a knew one if it gets worn out.

  24. 35
    Stronghold Barricades says:

    It is obviously a way to encourage more entrepreneurs to import vast quantities of booze for personal consumption

    …and a great way to have a good day out

  25. 36
    Kelvin McGuire says:

    “The Rusty Lady’s greater crime was to unleash a greed-is-good culture and trash the noble ideal of public service, civil servants required by the”

    “Socialists” have needed needed any help in the greed stakes

    and stop putting on a Viz style accent you bell end

  26. 37
    SARAH VINE says:

    Thanks to all the publicity you have given me I am changing the name of my column in The Times to

    HOW TO MAKE ELEPHANT LAMPS WHILE ON THE DOLE

    for all the unemployed hedgies troughers etc

    I will have a HUGE audience..

    Bless you Guido for launching my media career…

    • 155
      RAVA SHINE says:

      IRA VANESH <— She really should be Sarah Vini in keeping with the topic being discussed here.
      RAVA SHINE

  27. 38
    moat clearer says:

    JMT @ 9
    This pub has got round the smoking ban by making itself a ‘research centre’. Might catch on if the state security don’t shut it down first.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1180826/Landlady-transforms-pub-smoking-research-centre-legal-loophole-customers-smoke-indoors.html

  28. 41
    Alex says:

    It is the VAT rate. Strangely, France has always charged VAT at 5.5% on a Big Mac and fries.

  29. 44
    Lizzie says:

    I predict a D-Day type landing at the coast of France soon to partake of all the lovely food and wine on offer. Sarkosy and his team have the right ideas.

  30. 45
    Taxfodder says:

    I am so ashamed of our parliment so deeply pathetical, weak and useless.

    Not voting would be the kindest.

    Its like watching an old dog with no teeth trying to eat a toffee.

  31. 46

    Yet in the mean time, Zanu Labour blames the poor for drinking too much so adds so many taxes that illegal imports are a trouble. Then they hypocrite Chancellor puts pressure on Liechtenstein and Switzerland for their tax rules, ignoring UK controlled Cayman Islands, where 80% of trust finds are based.

  32. 48
    SARAH VINE says:

    My husband thanks you as well…

    I know you think he is a bit odd but he is alright really…

    He will invite you for a subsidised drink (as long as you don’t fall down) at the Bar of the House of Commons…to meet the other Troughers you have not already met at the Westminister Arms…

  33. 51
    Mellor Road Mincer says:

    Perhaps something for the Brits and the crap pound. It is putting off UK tourists from going to the Eurozone. This should help – a bit.

  34. 57

    [...] This post was Twitted by JULIANBRAY – Real-url.org [...]

  35. 60
    Anonymous says:

    According to Kavin Meguire in the Daily Mirror, MPs’ expenses is all Thatcher’s fault. And here’s me thinking that it had started in America.

    • 83
      JMT says:

      Well it is the Mirror – its really all her fault some Labour low-life was caught with his piggy fingers in the till nearly 20 years after she left office.

      In 1000 years time the Mirror will still blame Maggie Thatcher when planet earth is being invaded by Martians, Venusians or some other intergalactic outfit.

    • 90
      Ben Elton says:

      Silly me! I should have realised earlier that it was all ther fault of Mrs. Thatch. That you Mirror for pointing this out! You would not get such reporting in the Telegraph as it does not concern itself with what matters to the working class like what I am.

    • 91
      Anonymous says:

      Toilets Maguire has his nose stuck well up Brown’s arsehole.

  36. 63
    Unsworth says:

    Extra careful on the roads, then. Especially around mid-afternoon and late at night. Still, the plat du jour will be altogether more enjoyable, eh?

  37. 64
    This week I will be mainly wearing Umbro says:

    Can I get one of these jobs as a Cashpoint Escort, mate?

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/12/gordon-brown-cashpoint-police

    • 67
      Anonymous says:

      Poor man, he really HAS lost it.

    • 88
      Anonymous says:

      The comments afterwards from Guardian readers, are priceless. They despise Brown as much as we do.

    • 93
      P.C. Filth says:

      Is that some sort of fucking joke? We don’t do walking anymore. Over.

    • 153

      He has forgotten how to live, how life ACTUALLY IS. He has been in a Security bubble for at least 12 years, HE sees police everywhere, on rooftops, round corners when he goes to buildings. He does not realise that is because of the position HE holds. He must think that is how secure the UK is.

      He probably thinks one of the nice Policemen he sees on the roof can help the old granny home when she withdraws her pension from the cash point. This proves beyond anything HE HAS LOST IT.

  38. 71
    So17 says:

    What about baccy?
    I am now reduced to smoking a right rough old ‘Shag’ and I dont mean Jaqui Smith.

    • 97
      Richard Desmond says:

      I will have 60 seconds silence for you and then a minutes for that poor sod Richard Timney who is expected to do her after being turned on by Television X.

  39. 73
    Sarah says:

    Stop tormenting us Guido, with this talk of holidays and houses and other things beyond the ken of us mere mortals.
    What do you know about the Cooper-Balls expenses?
    Come on now, don’t be shy.

  40. 74
    subrosa says:

    Shame on you, you lucky devil! It’s at times like this that I wished I lived nearer the channel.

  41. 75
    lord wayne of MPs are hoons says:

    PHIL HOPE
    42 grand says you are a Hoon.

    won’t be easy finding that kind of wonga, you Hoon

  42. 76
    Anonymous says:

    I just read this on an earlier thread, it’s sodding disgraceful that those hoons Mandelson and Campbell are still running the BBC…..

    BBC dissident says:
    May 13, 2009 at 9:21 am

    I think it’s appalling the way that Nick Robinson takes regular phone calls from Alistair Campbell and Peter Mandelson discussing what line to take on the latest political revelations.

    It was most obvious on the Radio 4 Today programme this morning when Robinson and Evan Davies tried to imply deceipt and wrongdoing on Cameron’s part over his mortgage interest payments and the unsubstantiated suggestions that Tory MPs are angry with him because he is wealthy and can furnish his house unaided by expenses whereas they cannot.

    This is pure Labour spin, and, of course, there was no mention of the far biggest offenders in all of this like Darling, Hoon, and Blears.

    It’s no wonder we call him Toenails at the BBC.

    • 102
      Anonymous says:

      Blatant political bias like this is justification for Cameron to order a major clear out and slash the licence fee after the next election.

  43. 80
    Anonymous says:

    The injunction against the Telegraph revealing their expenses by Balls, Cooper, Mick Martin, and several other Labour MPs is being challenged in court this week.

    If the Telegraph loses then they should let the gory details slip out via a website. Guido’s for instance ;-)

    • 85
      Anonymous says:

      Why is the Telegraph covering up the full extent of Gordon Brown’s troughing and is it true that Labour backbenchers, inc Blunkett, are going to be exposed in tomorrow’s paper?

      • 136
        PC49 says:

        Blunkett? Not Blunkett the People’s Friend? I’d no more believe he is a fiddler than I would believe Blears is.

    • 107
      JMT says:

      I bet the legal bill(s) were passed to the Fees Office!!

      Incidentally I wonder if any of the hubby/wife combos at Westminster are doing a “double”.

      Mr MP claims House A as main, B as secondary.
      Mrs MP claims House B as main, A as secondary.
      Mr MP can sell House A CGT free.
      Mrs MP can sell House B CGT free.

      Meanwhile ALL bills/running costs for both houses are paid for by the taxpayer. Costs to Mr & Mrs MP = £0

      How many Mr/Mrs MP double-acts infest Westminster?

      How could you find out if the above “perfectly within the rules” ruse is being used?

    • 111
      Steve says:

      I think someone suggested Wikileaks earlier – they have encrypted mirror servers in several jurustictions and they’ve NEVER taken anything down that was posted there….

    • 113
      CONCERNED CITIZEN says:

      Any details about the original injunctions ?

      Is the Court hearing in camera ?

      I would love to know more..Or is there a gag order on the gag order ?

      Say as much as you can in NUZANULAB land please !

  44. 81
    Sir William Waad says:

    It’s not likely to happen here, under Brown’s Depleasurization Directives. Why, people might enjoy themselves!

  45. 82
    sconzey says:

    I thought the excuse used for not cutting VAT further was that 15% was the lowest sales tax allowed in the EU?

    • 98
      Hoddles Waddle says:

      Since when have the French ever taken notice of any of the laws made by the EU that did not benefit them.

      • 117
        CONCERNED CITIZEN says:

        Never…!

        But the British should do the same..

        SIlly idea to follow nthe rules of the EUSSR…

  46. 87
    andrew says:

    Critic of second home allowance going for a holiday in his second home

    Is it just me or is it a bit bizzare Guido is off to his second home when he has been a bit critic of MPs second homes???

    • 94
      Doctor Mick says:

      Yest it is. Most people who have second homes pay for them themselves.

    • 96
      Anonymous says:

      The crucial difference being that us taxpayers didn’t pay for Guido’s second-home.

      GEDDIT FUCKWIT?!!!

      • 143
        andrew says:

        I suppose I meant the moral question of people having numerous homes when some people have no where to live…. whether its the tax payer.. (MPs) or the consumer (through the market) we all pay for people’s second homes… the only difference is that through the market we have a choice about what we buy…. in politics we have a choice but it is only every four years… and arguably they are all on the take…

    • 142
      Old Street says:

      yeah but hopefully he didnt pay for his second home using the states help.

      anyway guido why didnt you just pay the cheeky 10 grand needed to get the disc of MPs expenses now the hoons at the telegraph have it. You can obviously afford abit of cheque book journalism now and again

  47. 100
    Anonymous says:

    A couple of “Labour wives” are on Radio 5 Live right now whinging about how poor they are really and how they have to scrimp and save.

    Boo fucking hoo!!

    • 104
      Steve says:

      Are they looking for sympathy or are they mistaking us for people who give a shit?

    • 106
      Anonymous says:

      I’m just listening to it now. Sickening, thorougly sickening. These people don’t have a clue.

      One of the Labour wives is now whining about what a terrible time “poor Yvette Cooper” has struggling with three children on a limited income.

      Unbelievable

      • 108
        Anonymous says:

        These women are wives of Labour MPs. Sounds like they’ve been sent out to try to get sympathy, but their arrogance and complaining is counterproductive.

        The pleading on behalf of Yvette Cooper was particularly sickening.

        Is the shit about to hit the fan for Balls/Cooper?

      • 128
        Grrrrr says:

        Once I’ve stopped shaking I’ll be popping out to buy some piano wire before the shops run out.

    • 173
      Richard Desmond says:

      If they are lookers unlike Blears, Harman, and Smith etc they could always see about appearing on Sky Channel 903.

  48. 103
    RavingMad says:

    Livingstone on DP – what the f……

  49. 105
    Moley says:

    Given the French penchant for hurling cobblestones when they get disenchanted with the political classes, cheap booze and a hot summer might make for a little local colour.

    I wish the English had the same fine instincts.

  50. 112
    Moley says:

    You can watch Prime Minister’s questions live on the Downing St web site.

  51. 114
    Anonymous says:

    Proof that Brown is mad. Guardian readers think so too:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/12/gordon-brown-cashpoint-police

  52. 118
    Barry says:

    come on PMQs thread?

  53. 121
    It doesn't add up... says:

    PMQs?

  54. 122
    Anonymous says:

    oi, guido, stop salavating over le menu and get the Cover Slaughter Live sorted.

    cheers!

  55. 124
    Anonymous says:

    And gordon slaps tax on Booze——because he’s a Hoon.

  56. 125
    BREAKING NEWS says:

    Gordon Brown appoints himself as Speaker of the House!

  57. 140
    MB says:

    Is the price of a meal at a restaurant in a presumably small town in France a fair comparison with the price in London or Dublin? I am sure there are plenty of restaurants in Britain where you can get a meal for the cost of a starter in a Paris restaurant.

  58. 144

    You and me the same Guido – except in 5 years I will be living in the SoF coz I’m sick to the back teeth of the scum bags that run this crap country. And it ain’t gonna get any better. Love ‘em or hate ‘em – the French have got this game of politics, along with the finer things in life, sorted.

  59. 146
    Scallywag says:

    I live in la belle France, driven out by the appalling mismanagement of the country. My pint (500cl) of draft Guinness now costs a lot less at my local bar. That’s got to be a move in the right direction.

    I love Christine Lagarde…

  60. 148
    Jan says:

    C’est très bien, ça.

  61. 149
    The prolateriate says:

    Gag Order! has Judge Eady struck again then????????????

  62. 151
    Anonymous says:

    As though Guido needs to eat and drink anymore?

  63. 152
    Anonymous says:

    Yes totally agree since the MP’s of all party’s have done a brilliant job of turning everything in this country to shite we’re also going on hols to France.

    By the way where do all the MP’s go on holiday. I bet it’s not in the UK either?

  64. 156
    barefootcontessa says:

    Bon jour Guido! Don’t tell ffffffffoulkes about the cheap wino, or he’ll be over here tout de suite (or even sooner than that), with his pal Monsieur le speaker. They’re fond of a tipple. When you go back, don’t forget to take the guillotines, we’ll man the barriers. A bientot, et sante!

  65. 162
    Anonymous says:

    Er…”Wine lovers will not be raising their glasses in celebration because the agreement does not cover alcohol.” NYT

  66. 163
    Jon Forest says:

    Hope Chez Guido is nowhere near where I went skiing recently or all the cut will mean is the price of a beer in a bar dropping from £6 a pint (equivalent) to £5.80.

  67. 164
    Gooey Blob says:

    Despite being a moderate to heavy drinker, I don’t pay any duty on alcohol. I’d rather brew my own and deprive the chancellor of the money. I’d hate to think how much extra the Treasury would have taken from me in taxes over the past decade if I had gone to the supermarket instead. Probably getting on for ten grand, I shouldn’t wonder.

    Homebrew wines are the best bet, and then bitters. Don’t bother with lager, the water in this country isn’t suited to it.

  68. 168
    Churchill's Cattleprod says:

    A three course meal in the best restaurant in the town near Chez Fawkes costs about the same as a starter in London or Dublin.

    Depends upon the restaurant. My nearest in Cannes does a decent 3 courses with 1x Sancerre 1x Margaux for about €96 for 2. Having said that my favourite in Eze (Chevré D’Or) is around €300 for 2. Not even going to think about the prices that the Eden Roc are charging now (€85 just to use the pool now)

  69. 170

    Great News Sir Guido… However, I,ve been to the nearest LeClerc and Super U to Chez Angry, and can’t see the publicity. Never mind. Decent reds for under 5 euro, a very nice St Nicholas de Bourgeil at 9euro and a 5 litre box of Corbierres for under 10. So it wasn’t a wasted journey!

  70. 171

    Sorry! The tax cut doesn’t include alcohol – only non alcoholic beverages

  71. 174
    Mrs Crewe says:

    Tuscany will be empty of nuLabour this summer can’t afford a holiday if they have to pay pack all those claims! how will the Italian tourist industry recover?

  72. 175

    [...] Another decent blogger added an interesting post on France Cuts Tax on Booze to Boost Economy – Guy Fawkes' blogHere’s a small excerptBreweries and landlords are to blame for rising costs. Breweries and landlords are to blame for falling customer numbers. Government tax-rises not to blame for rising costs. Government smoking ban not to blame for falling customer … [...]







Sarah Palin said…

“A year later, I gotta ask the supporters of all that, ‘How’s that hopey, changey thing working out for ya?’ “



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