And they are completely right in doing so. It remains an embarrassment that the US has not yet joined as well. Forget about the ridiculous PR stunt from Goldman where they are forgoing bonuses for thirty people - out of 31,000 - because it's a joke. Others sacrificed to save the bankers from ruin so why not let the bankers now fund employment projects for others? It's interesting to hear that they're complaining about harsh treatment yet somehow ignore the fact that they were all standing on a cliff just over a year ago. Do they have any decency? Silly question, I know.
Let them leave for Dubai or Shanghai or wherever they think they can get the best deal. Maybe then they will discover just how good they have it today with the handouts and cozy government relations.
The warm international reception for Brown's bonus tax held out the prospect that the prime minister could secure a much-needed political boost, as he did when other countries followed his lead on recapitalising the banks last year.
The momentum building up in Europe behind the clampdown on bonuses followed conversations between Treasury officials and those in G7 countries on Wednesday after the pre-budget report outlined the 50% tax on bankers' bonuses of more than £25,000.
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France decided to follow the UK in imposing the one-off penalties on bonuses over €27,000 after weeks of feuding between London and Paris over the regulation of European markets.
