Nigel Farage finds himself significantly out of step with his own potential voters on the issue of taxing extreme wealth, according to exclusive new polling.
A Divided Base on Taxation
A survey of more than 3,000 people considering voting for Reform UK has revealed a stark contrast between the party's leadership and its supporters. The research, conducted by YouGov for the thinktank Best for Britain, found that 61% of potential Reform voters would support a one-off wealth tax on UK households with a net worth exceeding £10 million.
This puts Farage, who has consistently argued against targeting higher earners and the wealthy for fear they might leave the UK, in a difficult position. The data suggests his core supporters hold more progressive views on certain tax policies than he does.
Strong Support for Windfall Taxes
The divide extends to taxes on major corporations. The polling indicates overwhelming support among Reform-inclined voters for windfall taxes on industries posting large profits.
77% said they would back a windfall tax on energy companies, while 73% are in favour of a similar levy on high bank profits. This latter policy is currently a flagship proposal from the Liberal Democrats.
This sentiment appears to be driven by a generally critical view of these sectors. A total of 59% of the pro-Reform cohort believe energy companies have a negative effect on the UK, with only 14% viewing their contribution positively. For banks, the figures were 40% negative and 12% positive. Rising utility bills and executive bonuses were cited as the primary reasons for this negative perception.
Broader Political Implications
The findings, compiled ahead of next week's budget, suggest Chancellor Rachel Reeves may have more public leeway to introduce fair tax measures than previously assumed.
Support for such policies was even more pronounced among voters leaning towards other parties. 82% of potential Labour backers supported the wealth tax idea, along with 81% for Liberal Democrats, 63% for Conservatives, and 85% for Greens. Similar levels of cross-party support were recorded for windfall taxes.
Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, stated that the data shows Farage is 'out of step with the public and with his base' on this fundamental issue of fairness. She urged the Chancellor not to be wary of being seen to increase taxes, arguing there is permission from both the progressive left and the 'Reform-curious right' to make the tax system fairer.
