# MPs hesitate to back wealth taxes despite public support and rising fortunes

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/why-wont-mps-tax-the-rich-we-asked-them-and-their-answers-gave-us-hope-faiza-shaheen/
- Published: 2026-10-27T10:00:09+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T10:52:27+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/oct/27/mps-tax-super-rich-wealthy-voters-reform-budget-burnham
- Topics: Americas, Business, Elections, Politics, World

## Key points

- Public support for taxing the super rich crosses party lines.
- Researchers identify fear and elite influence as barriers.
- Burnham’s first budget may avoid a wealth tax.

## Summary

The article argues that Andy Burnham’s first budget may sidestep higher taxes on extreme wealth, despite broad public support for them. It says politicians’ reluctance reflects fear of media backlash, economic uncertainty, elite influence and concern about taking a position before party leaders do.

Tax Justice UK and University of Strathclyde researchers interviewed 30 politicians from Westminster, Holyrood and the Senedd between February and July 2026. The article cites polling that found three in five Reform leaning voters support a wealth tax, and says the UK’s 50 richest families hold more wealth than half the population. It also argues that misleading claims about wealth taxes and wealthy people leaving the UK weaken MPs’ confidence.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.