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Before turning to today’s political news, you might find it helpful to take a little time to prepare. Might we suggest that you start by reading Non-Resident and Offshore Tax Planning (a new edition of Lee Hadnum’s authoritative review of the topic costs only £24.95). You should then review Debrett’s, Graham Stewart’s history of The Times, a few books on politics during the Blair era and a sheaf of newspaper cuttings on the financing of political campaigning in marginal seats.

Once you have done that, you need to form a view of the correct meaning of “permanent residence” in tax law and of the term “carrying on business” as defined by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act. Then sit...