Overview
- An audience member in London asked how public services can improve without higher taxes and quipped, “Are we all bad at maths?,” prompting laughter and a sharp discussion.
- The panel featured Labour’s Alex Davies-Jones, Conservative peer Ken Clarke, Reform MP Danny Kruger and Zarah Sultana of Your Party, reflecting current party realignments.
- Zarah Sultana argued for higher taxes on wealth rather than work and dismissed warnings of rich residents leaving as scaremongering.
- Danny Kruger countered that high rates drive out the wealthy, claiming around 17,000 high‑net‑worth individuals left the UK last year, and said more young people are departing too.
- The original questioner later pointed to different tax levers, citing a Liberal Democrat idea to cut VAT for hospitality and suggesting the Chancellor is expected to consider an income tax rise.