Brace yourself for Labour's war on the middle class getting a whole lot worse
Brace yourself for Labour's war on the middle class getting a whole lot worse
OPINION - DUNCAN BARKES: This could get a whole lot worse than the havoc wrought by Rachel Reeves.
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Add us as preferred source Comments By Duncan Barkes 17:00, Sun, Jun 28, 2026 Be afraid. Labour’s attack on Britain’s middle-classes is set to get a whole lot worse. As the party’s leadership psychodrama continues to rumble on, all eyes should be on who might become the UK’s new Chancellor. If Andy Burnham is serious about changing things, he will need to dump Rachel Reeves to show that he has serious intent. Speculation is rife as to who might gain the keys to number eleven Downing Street and be rewarded with the second most important job in British politics. You do not have to look too far to see various Burnham backers and existing Cabinet ministers dropping not so subtle hints that they are the best candidate to take charge of the nation’s finances.
Whoever gets the gig should concern us all as it is clear that in order to fund Britain’s spiralling debt repayments and excessive public spending, the next Chancellor will be looking at new ways of getting more cash from taxpayers. We already know from leaked messages between Lord Mandelson and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden that the latter moaned to Mandelson that in meetings he had with Labour MPs they asked, “who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others”.
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A new Chancellor will undoubtedly have the backing of Labour backbenchers as increasing taxation is clearly in their DNA. More disturbingly, those that helped Mr Burnham become Labour’s latest MP, his close advisers, and those in the frame to become next Chancellor, have all made it clear in the past that they feel it is only right to go after those in the country with property and assets.
Once again, the politics of envy rears its ugly head as the Labour mindset of targeting those who have worked hard and created wealth throughout their lives are in the crosshairs of Labour ministers. By targeting those who have a nice house or other assets in this way means a Burnham-led government can keep to Labour’s general election pledges of not increasing income tax, national insurance or VAT on working people but instead get more money in the Treasury’s coffers by targeting wealth.
Essentially, this means hammering Britain’s middle-classes. Various names have been floated as a potential new Chancellor including Wes Streeting, Ed Miliband, Pat McFadden and Yvette Cooper – who have all indicated their support for a review and reform of property taxes. Andy Burnham himself is on the record as saying that he believes that the UK taxes work too heavily while taxing the wealthy too lightly.
In the past he has said: “I think in this country we overtax labour, overtax people’s work, and we under-tax wealth.”
He has previously supported the idea of a land value tax (LVT) by saying: “It’s a very productive form of taxation, because you make sure that the land is used for good, productive purposes, and if people are sitting on it and hoarding it, they get taxed.”
Louise Haigh, Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley who was forced to quit as Transport Secretary after it emerged she had pleaded guilty to a fraud offence, has said this proposal should be explored which is significant as she was one of the MPs who successfully ran Mr Burnham’s campaign in Makerfield. Another major player and confidant in Team Burnham is Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh who is helping the new MP for Makerfield prepare for power.
She has made radical, some might say extreme, past comments on how the British economy should be run including support for a basic income for all, wealth taxes and widespread nationalisations all of which would increase the tax burden on workers and those with assets. Ms Fahnbulleh has previously advocated for taxing income from wealth at the same rate as income from work and has also suggested that those earning more than £50,000 a year should pay more in national insurance contributions.
Whichever way you cut it – the mood music is not good for middle-class Britain who should just be left alone to enjoy the fruits of their labours and assets accrued instead of being further rinsed in what could become an economic policy that is simply socialism on steroids.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was criticised last week for branding Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson a “spiteful class warrior” in Prime Minister’s Questions over her decision to impose VAT on private school fees. Our biggest fear should be that whoever becomes Chancellor decides to adopt a similar approach when it comes to punishing those with assets – whether it be a new form of wealth tax, new taxes on property, increased capital gains tax or inheritance tax.
As Sir Keir Starmer has found out – there are no guarantees in politics, but we can be sure of one thing – Labour’s war on wealth has only just begun.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
