The article argues that affluent Generation X and baby-boomer professionals are a powerful obstacle to tax reform aimed at the very wealthy. Its author says their defence of property, pension and inheritance advantages helps preserve a complex tax system that discourages work and investment while allowing the super-rich to avoid a larger contribution.

It suggests Andy Burnham, described as the new prime minister, may need tax rises because borrowing capacity is limited and he wants to fund measures to improve living standards. The proposed alternative is a land value tax replacing council tax and stamp duty: a Tax Policy Associates paper estimates a flat 1.28% rate could raise £56.7bn, compared with £45.2bn from council tax and £11.5bn from stamp duty, while about 70% of homes would pay less.