Enoch Powell discussed tax affairs in one of his books. In reference to tax officials asking questions about citizens financial arrangements that were outside their functions as defined by the law (at the time in 1967, the Inland Revenue asking for an analysis of holdings of stocks and shares that they were not entitled to ask). In response to a Minister saying "there is nothing improper" about this, Powell wrote:
"So far from there being 'nothing improper' about this, there is everything improper about it, and dangerous too. In a free country there is an actual duty upon the citizens not to submit to unauthorised inquisition, but while fully, accurately, conscientiously and (if possible) cheerfully doing what the law requires of him, to repudiate and repel encroachments upon his private affairs; for every such encroachment not resisted makes the next one easier, and soon people fall into a state where they fail any longer to distinguish between lawful authority and lawless authority, though that distinction is one of the most important distinctions in the world."

I partake in tax avoidance - there, I've said it:
* I have ISAs
* I have an offset mortgage
* I made a loss on a business venture, then sold a house in the same year and offset the loss against my CGT liability
* I put my charity donations on my tax return

The only way to tackle these issues is to pump a shedload of cash into HMRC and get the loopholes closed down - if you believe ways of avoiding tax are unethical, then make them illegal and enforce it.

I do find it a bit rich accusing the Queen of unethical tax avoidance though, since technically she is the recipient of the tax (and the tax she pays is largely voluntary - not that I'm implying that should be the case, of course, but it is)

Personally, I think that the less government has to do with everyday life the better. In terms of tax law in this country, serious reform is needed.

I would argue for a universal tax rate for everyone and EVERYONE pays it. The same for corporations, you trade here you pay the same as the rest, based on what you earn here.

I'm not sure how practical that idea is, at the end if the day, we are governed by consent.

I don't mind so much that the rich avoid tax but I do mind that it's one way for those who have and another way for those who have not.

That's it for me too, if anything in the country needs to be fair it's the way we are all taxed.

While I believe in social justice. I don't believe in taxing the rich in a disproportionate manner to the rest. People should be able to reap the benefits of their own hard work.

I know many people who could be much more productive but are not because once they earn over a certain amount the government comes along a takes half their money. No wonder so many do all they can to avoid paying anything at all.

I think on this issue, I'm fairly right wing, small government, low taxation. However on other issues I believe in a strong welfare for those that really need it and if we're going to be taxed it should be to help those who can't always help themselves, among other things.

My whole political view is coloured by the fact that I hate unfairness, no matter what political colour it comes in and successive governments have presided over unfair tax practises. It needs to be sorted.