Left behind: Labour's tax policy stirs dissent

遗落:工党的税收政策引发争议

Editor's Picks from The Economist

2025-11-12

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A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Labour wants to raise taxes to fix Britain's finances, but parts of the left are rebelling. The party faces a new form of populism that demands better services without higher taxes. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.
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  • The Economist Hello, this is Rosie Bloor, co-host of The Intelligence, our daily news and current affairs podcast.

  • Welcome to Editors Pics.

  • We've chosen an article from the latest edition of The Economist that we thought you might enjoy.

  • Please do have a listen.

  • If we are to build the future of Britain together, we will all have to contribute," said Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, in a dreary speech from Downing Street on November 4.

  • Each of us must do our bit.

  • It was a predictable centre-left cry from a predictably centre-left politician.

  • Since sweeping spending cuts are politically impossible, broad tax rises Most likely, an increase in income tax are coming.

  • Predictable yelps of protest came from across the right of the political spectrum.

  • But so did less predictable complaints to Labour's left.

  • Tax wealth, not work, said Zach Polanski, the new leader of the Green Party, which is a margin of error blip behind Labour in the polls.

  • In a strange turn, it is the left which will lead the fight against the broad tax rises of Masrives.

  • Tax wealth, not work, is a phrase popularized by Gary Stevenson, an economics YouTuber, with a massive reach, a few million quid in the bank, and a near genius for self-promotion.

  • Millions watch his videos filmed at his kitchen, which explain how their taxes can go down if taxes on a few go up.

  • At the very point Labour has begun to crank taxes higher, low tax leftism is on the rise.

  • At the heart of low tax leftism is a reasonable question.

  • Rather than hit workers, why can't the rich pay more?

  • They already do.

  • It is the Tories darkest secret.

  • They made tax too woke.