More than 120 millionaires based in the United Kingdom have publicly appealed to the nation's new prime minister, Andy Burnham, advocating for increased taxation on their own wealth to foster a "better Britain." This appeal, formalized in a letter released Thursday by Patriotic Millionaires UK, specifically targets "the very richest whose income is derived from the wealth they hold," distinguishing this group from those earning income through daily employment.
Patriotic Millionaires Movement Gains Momentum
The initiative by Patriotic Millionaires UK follows a similar demonstration in January, when approximately 400 millionaires joined their United States counterparts in advocating for higher taxes to address escalating inequality. This global movement, which originated in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, continues to gain traction across Western nations amidst heightened scrutiny of income disparities and democratic stability.
Patriotic Millionaires initially emerged in the United States as a protest against former US President Barack Obama's stance on extending Bush-era tax cuts for high-income earners. The organization identifies itself as a non-partisan research group dedicated to tackling the interconnected issues of authoritarianism and "destabilising levels of inequality that led to its rise."
Key Demands for Progressive Taxation
The movement's policy recommendations include equalizing tax rates for capital gains and ordinary income exceeding $1 million. They also propose tax reductions for working individuals to alleviate the cost of living, incentives for companies to implement living wages, and measures to prevent oligarchic influence.
Independent groups have since been established in the United Kingdom and Canada, sharing similar concerns and engaging with political figures. While the UK branch operates independently of its US and Canadian counterparts, a spokesperson indicated close collaboration and a shared objective: "to combat the destabilising impact of political and economic inequality through issues such as progressive taxation."
Addressing concerns that a wealth tax might prompt an exodus of affluent Britons, the UK group's letter has garnered support from notable figures, including former England football player Gary Lineker and screenwriter Richard Curtis. They advocate for a fair and progressive tax system that prioritizes work over wealth, alongside protections against the "undue influence of wealth" in democratic processes.
Research presented by the organization suggests that four out of five UK millionaires would endorse a 2% tax on wealth exceeding £10 million. A poll conducted in April by the group, surveying 501 UK millionaires, found that 75 percent expressed willingness to contribute more financially to safeguard and strengthen Britain's social, cultural, and economic foundations.
The leadership of the UK branch includes Rebecca Gowland, formerly of Oxfam; entrepreneur Graham Hobson; investor Nick Marple; former Blackrock managing director Morris Pearl; and human rights lawyer Poonam Joshi. Mr. Pearl also serves as the chair of the United States chapter of Patriotic Millionaires and is a co-author of "Tax the Rich! How Lies, Loopholes, and Lobbyists Make the Rich Even Richer."
The "Proud to Pay" letter, released on Wednesday, bears the signatures of over 100 millionaires urging the prime minister to implement higher taxes on their assets. While precise figures for millionaires in the UK vary, the UBS Global Wealth Report for 2026 estimated approximately 2,428,000 millionaires in the country, reflecting a 1.8 percent increase.
Signatories of the "Proud to Pay" letter include musician Brian Eno, director Derek Bennett, screenwriter Richard Curtis, and Gary Lineker. This follows a January open letter, drafted by Patriotic Millionaires, Millionaires for Humanity, and Oxfam, signed by nearly 400 millionaires. This letter framed taxation of the super-rich as a "duty" for elected leaders to address societal challenges, with endorsements from international figures such as actor Mark Ruffalo and Tim and Abby Disney.
