A recent poll has shown that voters now believe Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, is more likely to cut taxes than Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which has left anxious Tories in despair.
Conservatives Associated with Higher Taxes
According to the major poll, 52% of the public associate the Conservative Party with higher taxes, compared to 42% for the Labour Party.
Public Fears of Increased Taxation
The poll also found that 77% of respondents believe they would be subject to either the same amount or even more tax if the Prime Minister is reelected. This number drops to 66% if Sir Keir Starmer becomes the Prime Minister.
Pressure on Rishi Sunak
The poll, conducted by Survation and involving more than 12,000 British citizens, puts pressure on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to provide tax relief for struggling families. There is a growing demand for relief, which could be addressed in this month's Autumn Statement.
Conservatives Urged to Return to Low Tax Policies
Liz Truss, a prominent Conservative MP, has warned her party to remember its roots in low taxes and business. She believes that returning to these principles will spur economic growth and generate the tax revenues needed for public services.
Truss stated, "For the public to believe they would pay more tax under a Conservative government than a Labour one shows how urgently we need to make the case for Conservatism again, to demonstrate our belief in low taxes and show why low-tax economies deliver growth."
Record High Tax Burden
The tax burden in the UK is currently at a record high for peacetime due to increases in headline rates and threshold freezes. Jim Harra, the CEO of HM Revenue and Customs, has warned that an additional 1.2 million Britons will be paying taxes to the Treasury next year, bringing the total taxpayer population to 35.8 million.
Rishi Sunak's Promise to Cut Taxes
A spokesperson for Rishi Sunak has promised that the Chancellor aims to reduce taxes at the "appropriate" time, once inflation is under control.
Public Opinion on Taxation
The poll conducted by the UK Spirits Alliance also revealed that 52% of voters believe they pay too much tax, while 27% believe they pay the right amount and only 8.2% believe they pay too little.
Appeal to Jeremy Hunt
The UK Spirits Alliance, an industry group, is urging Jeremy Hunt to prevent another significant increase in alcohol excise duty. The group argues that freezing the duty would support consumers and businesses across the UK.
Stephen Russell, the owner of Copper Rivet Distiller in Kent, stated, "It is time for the Chancellor to sit up and listen to the British public and his own MPs and support consumers and businesses across the UK by freezing duty."
