'Tax Us. We Can Afford It.' 120 Millionaires Just Handed Britain's New PM an Open Letter
Days into his premiership, Andy Burnham has received an open letter from 120 of Britain's wealthiest people asking for something almost no government ever hears voluntarily, a tax rise aimed squarely at themselves.
Photo: MART PRODUCTION / Pexels
Most letters a new prime minister receives in his first week ask for something. Andy Burnham's most notable one so far asks him to take something instead, from the very people signing it. Organised by the campaign group Patriotic Millionaires UK under its Proud to Pay More banner, 120 wealthy Britons have written an open letter asking Burnham to raise taxes specifically on extreme wealth. As millionaires we have a clear message for you, our new prime minister, the letter reads. Tax us. We are proud to pay and here to stay.
The names attached to it move the story well past a single interest group with an obvious motive. Gary Lineker, the former England striker and Match of the Day presenter, signed it, alongside musician Brian Eno, film director Richard Curtis, crime writer Val McDermid, former Greggs chairman Ian Gregg, and Gary Stevenson, a former City trader who has described himself as Citibank's most profitable trader in the world in 2011 and has spent the years since turned wealth tax campaigner. Climate author Michael Berners-Lee and investor Julia Davies also put their names to it. Lineker, whose own wealth is reported at around £30 million, framed the request as a matter of basic fairness rather than generosity. Paying your fair share is a basic British value, he said, adding that the richest can do more, and most want to.
What they are actually asking for
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Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief of Rich Woman Magazine, founder of Sovereign Magazine, author of many books, Dr Marina Nani is a social edification scientist coining a new industry, Social Edification. Passionately advocating to celebrate your human potential, she is well known for her trademark "Be Seen- Be Heard- Be You" running red carpet events and advanced courses like Blog Genius®, Book Genius®, Podcast Genius®, the cornerstones of her teaching. The constant practitioner of good news, she founded MAKE THE NEWS ( MTN) with the aim to diagnose and close the achievement gap globally. Founder of many publications, British Brands with global reach Marina believes that there is a genius ( Stardust) in each individual, regardless of past and present circumstances. "Not recognising your talent leaves society at loss. Sharing the good news makes a significant difference in your perception about yourself, your industry and your community."
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