Controversy: Pastygate, It is announced in the 2012 budget that there will be a 20% VAT charge on baked goods served above an ambient temperature. Anger by oppositional parties, bakers and the general public ensues.

Article 1: Pasty Tax: David Cameron Stuffing His Face With Everything... Except A Pasty! (Pictures)       28/03/2012

 http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/28/cameron-food-pasty-everything_n_1384955.html

This first article takes a largely satirical view of the situation. The term pasty tax is put in inverted commas instantly undermining the importance of the problem, suggesting that this is not a real issue at all. The article then goes on to criticise David Cameron’s statement about his love of pasties, pointing out that he could not have recently bought a pasty from the west Cornwall pasty company as the company shut down over five years ago. There is a brief outline of the situation explaining the thinking behind the pasty tax which is explained as a “burning issue” clearly a sarcastic dig at the media hype which surrounded this story. The Huffington Post then shows a gallery of David Cameron eating various foods asking readers to make their own conclusions about the Prime minister’s diet. This device is used to humiliate Cameron showing him in various unflattering poses. There is very little said about Ed Milliband’s response to the pasty tax only a brief paragraph about his visit to Greggs earlier in the week. All mockery is centred on Cameron.

Article 2: David Cameron defends George Osborne's 'pasty tax' 18/04/2012

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-defends-george-osbornes-pasty-tax-7657283.html

This article presents a far more objective viewpoint on the situation. There is a focus on an issue answered by David Cameron during prime ministers questions concerning the fact that Pasties had been given a 20% VAT increase but not caviar. Both the question and response by Cameron are reproduced in full with no further comment by the writer of the article. This allows the reader to make up their own mind on the issue. There is then a portion of a statement released by Downing Street saying that the budget is fair and difficult decisions have to be made sometimes. The article then ends with a small section describing how various bakers plan to march against the pasty tax on the 26^th of April.

This article is certainly more weighted in support of the government, there is only quote included which criticises the tax and this is responded to by Cameron. It is however more objective than the Huffington Post’s article, supporting its point of view simply with quotes and facts. There are no loaded terms or inference that I noted.