a nation of taxpayers

Britain is already weighed down by record taxes, soaring debt interest and a bloated state that politicians seem unwilling to reform. Now Andy Burnham has entered Downing Street with a long spending wishlist, a record of raising local charges and a promise of a new economic model. But who will pay for it? Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Darwin Friend and William Yarwood to discuss whether Burnham's plans risk pushing Britain's public finances even further towards the brink. They examine his record in Greater Manchester, the growing pressure for wealth taxes and higher borrowing, and what the new prime minister must do to avoid bankrupting Britain.

The Equality Act was sold as a tidy-up of existing anti-discrimination law. But has it instead transformed Britain's understanding of equality, freedom and discrimination? Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TaxPayers' Alliance's campaigns director William Yarwood and the Prosperity Institute's Editorial and Research Director Rhys Laverty to discuss the Prosperity Institute's new report calling for the repeal or fundamental reform of the Equality Act 2010. They examine how the act moved Britain away from equal treatment before the law and towards a system of protected characteristics, positive duties, public sector equality rules and state-sanctioned discrimination. They also discuss how the legislation has affected workplaces, public bodies, private businesses and free speech. You can read their new report, 'Some More Equal Than Others: The Case Against the Equality Act' here. 

Britain's councils are responsible for everything from social care and bin collections to potholes, planning and council tax. But with local authority debt now at a record high and many town halls warning of a financial crisis, how much power do councillors really have to change things? Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by Councillor Elliot Keck, formerly of the TaxPayers' Alliance, and Jonathan Eida of the TPA to discuss the reality of life inside local government, what it is really like being a councillor, and whether councils are victims of Westminster or authors of their own misfortune. They also discuss the TaxPayers' Alliance's latest local authority debt research, why borrowing has spiralled to almost £155 billion, whether councillors have enough control over spending, and what needs to change to protect local taxpayers from higher bills and worse services.

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by Lance Forman -  businessman and former MEP.  Lance runs the renowned H. Forman & Son salmon smokery in London. He was a MEP for the Brexit Party in 2019. They chat about the challenges facing UK business and whether future PM Andy Burnham recognises the difficulties that UK businesses currently face. Lance and Duncan also discuss Brexit and the current political landscape.   

For decades, the free-market movement relied on newspapers, think tanks and political institutions to make the case for lower taxes, limited government and individual liberty. But as younger audiences increasingly turn to podcasts, YouTube and social media for news and political commentary, those ideas need a new generation of persuasive creators capable of reaching people beyond the Westminster bubble. Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by Casey Given, executive director of Young Voices and William Yarwood of the TPA to discuss how young free-market commentators can build an audience, why the right has often struggled to develop new media talent and what organisations can do to help the next generation make the case for freedom.

For years, politicians and so-called experts insisted that mass migration was an economic necessity, dismissing concerns about pressure on public services, housing, wages and social cohesion. Now, with migration at historic levels and the consequences becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, that consensus is beginning to collapse. The question is no longer whether Britain's migration system has failed, but how the country can regain control and repair the damage. Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by Shadow Home Office Minister Katie Lam MP and the TPA's John O'Connell to discuss why the expert consensus on mass migration was so badly wrong, what a credible plan to reduce migration should look like and why politicians must continue to confront the grooming-gangs scandal.

Britain's borrowing is spiralling, debt interest costs remain painfully high and warnings about the state of the public finances are growing louder. With the government struggling to balance the books and taxpayers facing the prospect of higher taxes and more borrowing, some are asking an uncomfortable question: could Britain be heading towards another IMF bailout? Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Darwin Friend and William Yarwood to discuss the UK's worsening fiscal outlook, the risks posed by mounting debt and deficits and what politicians need to say and do to get this under control.

Prevent spends £36 million a year, but the TaxPayers' Alliance's latest research raises serious questions about whether taxpayers can properly see where that money goes. Freedom of information requests that once exposed detailed Prevent spending are now routinely blocked, with councils and the Home Office citing national security and other exemptions even for basic financial breakdowns. Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Anne Strickland and John O'Connell to discuss Prevent's growing transparency problem, why independent reviews have raised concerns about oversight and value for money, and whether a programme designed to stop terrorism has drifted into a wider safeguarding system.

Labour-backed holiday taxes could leave families paying hundreds of pounds more for a UK break, piling yet another burden onto households already squeezed by the cost of living. And after Rachel Reeves' tax raids on pubs, hotels and hospitality businesses, many are asking: why does Labour seem so determined to hammer Britain's hospitality and tourism industries? Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Benjamin Elks and UKHospitality chief executive Allen Simpson to discuss how a holiday tax could damage staycations, hit local economies and pile pressure onto an industry already under strain. They also explore Labour's wider war on hospitality and what businesses and holidaymakers can do to fight back.

What actually causes recessions? Are economic downturns inevitable, or are they the result of political mistakes and bad policy decisions? And when one economy starts to shrink, how quickly can the rest of the world follow? In this episode, podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TaxPayers' Alliance's John O'Connell and former Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers and current ExxonMobil chief economist, Dr Tyler Goodspeed, to discuss his new book Recession: The Real Reasons Economies Shrink and What to Do about It. Together, they explore what really drives recessions, whether governments help or hinder recovery, and what today's economic warning signs could mean for Britain and the wider global economy.

With the local election results fully in, podcast host Duncan Barkes sat down with the TPA's William Yarwood and The Critic's Political Editor to ask one question: is the uniparty dead? The trio go through some of the results, what they mean for the political landscape in the coming years and whether there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the decline of the two main political parties.

Are trade unions holding Britain back? Why are taxpayers funding trade union facility time? Should workers in critical public services be allowed to strike? Podcast host Duncan Barkes sat down with policy analyst Shimeon Lee and campaigns director William Yarwood to unpack the growing power of Britain's trade unions, the cost of strikes to taxpayers, and what it all means for public services and the wider economy.

Is Britain addicted to borrowing? Why is the national debt continuing to climb despite record tax levels? What can actually be done to solve it? Podcast host Duncan Barkes was joined by trade adviser, economist and media commentator Catherine McBride OBE and research director Darwin Friend to unpack the UK's mounting debt crisis, explore what's driving government borrowing, and discuss what needs to change before the bill becomes impossible to pay.

Is ESG quietly draining your pension and pushing up your bills? In this episode of A Nation of Taxpayers, Duncan Barkes is joined by Jonathan Eida of the TaxPayers' Alliance and James Graham of the Prosperity Institute to expose how Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rules have shifted finance away from returns and towards political agendas. From weaker investment in Britain's defence and energy sectors to lower returns for savers, James Graham goes through the findings in his paper 'The Death of the Fiduciary Duty' and explains why ESG could be one of the biggest financial scandals of the last two decades and what must be done to stop it. Read James's full paper here

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Callum McGoldrick and Shimeon Lee to go through this year's Town Hall Rich List.   This infamous annual piece of research by the TPA reveals how much money council staff receive and the figures are eye-watering with a record 4,733 council bosses receiving more than £100k a year and 320 earning more than the Prime Minister.    Warning: this episode may well increase your blood pressure as you hear about the vast sums that council bosses are coining in including those who ran councils that went bankrupt.    Find figures for your local council here.     

Awful April has arrived. As chancellor Rachel Reeves's Autumn Budget measures take effect, the UK faces a wave of tax hikes and ambitious spending commitments that leave many wondering: how am I getting rinsed this time? In this episode, podcast host Duncan Barkes sits down with chief executive John O'Connell and research director Darwin Friend to dissect the fiscal fallout and what these changes mean for your wallet.

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Jonathan Eida and Maurice Cousins from Net Zero Watch to talk about energy security, rising fuel prices and how Labour's net zero obsession is leaving the UK highly vulnerable.  

Is Reform returning to its free-market roots? Podcast host Duncan Barkes sits down with the TPA's Elliot Keck and the Deputy Editor of CapX, Joe Dinnage, to debate the shifting tides in Reform, the economic pitfalls of nationalising utilities, and the feasibility of Labour's strategy regarding the conflict in Iran.

What is the new divide in politics? How did it happen? Why are unlikely coalitions being formed? Dr Stephen Davies, Senior Education Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, joined podcast host Duncan Barkes and campaigns director Elliot Keck to discuss his new book 'The Great Realignment: Why the New Right Is Here to Stay' and his theory on what the new divide in politics is.

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Will Yarwood chat to Laila Cunningham - Reform UK's London mayoral candidate.  With the London local elections taking place on 7 May and the capital set to elect a new mayor in 2028, they discuss all things London-related including crime, transport and immigration.  Is it too late to save London from the damage inflicted by the policies of Sir Sadiq Khan? Take a listen to find out!  

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Callum McGoldrick are joined by Conservative MP Esther McVey.  They discuss the disturbing rise in sectarian politics that saw the Green Party achieve victory in the recent Gorton and Denton by-election.  Esther outlines the thinking behind her Ten Minute Rule Bill in Parliament about clear labelling regarding slaughter for Kosher and Halal meat. She also talks about the fortunes of the Conservative Party and Reform UK. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Anne Strickland are joined by Caroline Elsom who is Head of Government Reform at the Onward think tank.  They discuss the country's ever-increasing welfare bill and highlight the areas of duplication and abuse that are costing taxpayers a fortune.  Anne talks about the escalating asylum seeker social care costs that are hammering the budgets of local councils across the UK. Caroline outlines the findings of her report 'The Hidden Benefits Bill' that shows Universal Credit claimants are able to get £10billion in extra benefits. She also talks about her time as a Special Adviser to the British Governemnt and working under three different prime ministers. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by Darwin Friend and Elliot Keck from the TPA to discuss the government abandoning its plans to cancel council elections. This follows the TPA campagin called 'No Taxation without Representation' which called on councils cancelling their elections to freeze council tax.  They also chat about the latest youth unemployment figures, the Reform UK announcement of key spokespeople and the launch of Restore Britain as a political party and whether the political right in the UK is becoming too fragmented.  

Why do politicians keep passing nanny-state policies? Who benefits from them? And why are anti-freedom lobby groups funded by taxpayers' money? On A Nation of Taxpayers, Duncan Barkes and Benjamin Elks are joined by Christopher Snowdon from the Institute of Economic Affairs to break down why governments expand the nanny state, how public health campaigns turn into lifestyle control and why he's clashed with supporters of Lucy Letby.

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Anne Strickland are joined by Catherine McBride OBE - trade adviser, economist and media commentator.   They talk about the missed opportunities of Brexit, the importance of trade, how Labour could boost the economy and who else from the Tories would be a good fit for Reform UK.  Catherine also shares her view on the recently created Prosper UK - headed up by Andy Street and Ruth Davidson. This episode is feisty and a must-listen. 

What does it mean to be right-wing in 2026? Is Reform the best outlet for the right? How did the Conservatives fail on Chagos and lockdown? Andrew Rosindell MP joined Duncan Barkes and William Yarwood on A Nation of Taxpayers to discuss Chagos, what it means to be right-wing, and the failures of the Conservative Party.

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Elliot Keck are joined in the studio by Emma Trimble - writer, broadcaster and fellow at The New Culture Forum.  They discuss the impact that mass immigration has had on Britain's culture, society and institutions.  Along the way, they ponder whether woke is dead or not and wonder if it is too late to get Britain back on track.  

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by John O'Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation with Lord Matthew Elliott - one of Britain's most influential campaigners. Lord Elliott founded both the TaxPayers' Alliance and Big Brother Watch, and was the Chief Executive of Vote Leave during the EU referendum. Now a Conservative peer in the House of Lords and President of the Jobs Foundation, he reflects on campaigning, Brexit and the need to remake the case for business being a force for good. It you love political history and successful campaigning then this episode is a MUST listen. 

In the first episode of 2026 - podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by Will Yarwood of the TPA.  Their guest is William Clouston, leader of the Social Democratic Party.  William talks about the origins and history of the party and outlines some of their current policies.  He also says the next general election will be "make or Break" for the SDP.  

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Jonathan Eida for this episode where the learn about a footballing national scandal.  Duncan and Jonathan meet John Stiles, former footballer and campaigner, to hear more about his campaign to get justice and support for ex-players suffering from the effects of neurodegenerative diseases caused by repeatedly heading the ball.  John is the son of Nobby Stiles - the 1966 England World Cup legend who suffered from dementia before his death in 2020. Nobby's family had to sell his World Cup medals to help fund his dementia care.  John and fellow campaigners want the football industry to set aside cash for future care for former players. He does not believe it is something that the taxpayer should be paying for. 

The fizz was flowing as podcast host Duncan Barkes was joined in the studio by four guests for our 2025 Awards.  Joining Duncan are Elliot Keck and Anne Strickland from the TPA, along with Joe Dinnage from CapX and Matthew Bowles from the Prosperity Institute.  There's top banter and political predictions as the guests make their nominations for a variety of categories including Legend Of The Year, Pub Of The Year and Political Moment Of The Year.     

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Will Yarwood chat to Clark Vasey, co-founder and director of Blue Collar Conservatism.  They discuss the Conservative Party's role in representing those that work for a living and are classed as blue collar or white collar workers. Clark also explains his motivation for setting up Blue Collar Conservatism in 2012 and why it has never been more important for the Conservative Party to show they understand the needs and frustrations of this cohort of voters.  

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Callum McGoldrick are joined by Rebecca Ryan from Defund The BBC.  Together they discuss the latest revelations that have rocked the BBC to the core and which resulted in the resignation of Director General Tim Davie.  They also discuss the clear examples of journalistic bias and what should happen next to the corporation. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Darwin Friend and Reem Ibrahim, Head of Media at the Institute of Economic Affairs, to react to today's Budget. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Elliot Keck are joined by Emma McClarkin OBE, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association.  With next week's Budget being pivotal to the survival of the UK hospitality sector, they discuss the increasing costs to pubs and breweries that are seeing many of them struggle.  Emma outlines what the Chancellor could do to better support pubs and Elliot goes through some of the findings in the TPA's 'Cost of a tipple' research paper. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Darwin Friend are joined by economist Professor Tim Congdon CBE.  Tim is one of the world's leading monetary analysts and advised the 1979 to 1997 Conservative government on economic policy.  They discuss the lack of monetary understanding at the Bank of England and at the Treasury and what needs to happen to get the UK economy back on track. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Elliot Keck chat to Daniel Herring, Head of Economic and Fiscal Policy at The Centre for Policy Studies.  They discuss this week's speeches about the economy by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Reform UK's Nigel Farage.  The CPS, along with other groups, has just joint published a document called 'Tax Reforms for Growth' and Daniel talks Duncan and Elliot through its contents.  You can read it here. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Darwin Friend leave the podcast studio and record this week's episode on location in Essex.   They head to Adventure Island in Southend to meet with Philip Miller MBE who is Executive Chairman of Adventure Island. Philip is a successful local businessman and gives Duncan and Darwin his thoughts on how this government has damaged the UK's business sector. He also outlines the one thing he would like to see the Chancellor announce in her Budget on 26 November. Philip is also running as an independent candidate in next year's elections where he hopes to become the first Mayor of Essex and talks about his motivation for doing so and his policy ideas.   

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Elliot Keck are joined by Mark Littlewood, Director of Popular Conservatism.  They discuss why Popular Conservatism was set up, the current political landscape and the need for radical thinking to stop a borrowing and spending economic disaster.  Mark also explains his political journey from former Chief Press Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats to his current position, via many years as Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs.  Find out more about Popular Conservatism here. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Will Yarwood and Henry Hill, Deputy Editor of Conservative Home.  They discuss the future of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch's conference speech and whether the party's obsession with Margaret Thatcher is doing it any favours. 

This is a special live recording from the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester to celebrate the first year of our 'A Nation of Taxpayers' podcast.  Recorded in front of a live audience in the TPA Think Tent, podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by TPA Chief Executive John O'Connell as they chat with Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride about his planned £47billion savings policy which he had just announced.  They also discuss income tax, wealth tax and Sir Mel's taxation philosophy. He also chats about his fondness for wild water swimming and about his unpublished novel! 

This episode is a live recording in front of an audience at 55 Tufton Street, SW1. Podcast host Duncan Barkes was joined by two excellent guests: Sir John Redwood - MP for Wokingham between 1987 and 2024. John was also Director of the Number 10 Policy Unit under Margaret Thatcher.  Mike Denham, a former Treasury and City economist who is also a former chairman of the TPA. They discuss the UK's current economic state and whether we are heading back to the 1970s where industrial action and economic stagnation was rife.  This podcast was recorded after Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave her keynote speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.    

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by Will Yarwood and Darwin Friend from the TPA.  With the Budget scheduled for 26 November, they chew over the recent ONS and OECD figures with an eye on what it might mean for the UK's economy.  They also look at the latest paper from the Labour-affiliated Resolution Foundation think-tank which contains proposals on how to get more cash from the taxpayer.  

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined this week by John O'Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance. Their guest is renowned political consultant James Frayne. James founded and ran the Public First research agency between 2016 and 2025.  They discuss where the country is heading politically and James gives some fascinating insights into how the attitudes of voters are changing when it comes to taxes and spending.  He also spells out the mistakes made so far by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and where he thinks Reform UK are heading.  

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Will Yarwood talk to those who attended the Reform UK Conference in Birmingham. This episode features contributions from: Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former Conservative MP and Cabinet member. Councillor Saffron Sims-Brydon who sits as a Reform councillor on Durham County Council Russell Quirk who is a Reform UK candidate in the forthcoming Hutton South by-election for a seat on Brentwood Borough Council in Essex.  There are also contributions from other delegates and Reform UK members. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Elliot Keck chat with Andrew Griffith - Shadow Business Secretary and MP for Arundel and South Downs.  They discuss the Prime Minister's latest 'reset', the state of UK business under Labour and whether Andrew supports quitting the ECHR. Andrew also gives his view on inheritance tax, the threat of Reform UK and whether the triple-lock on pensions is sustainable. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Callum McGoldrick are joined by Dr Tim Aker to talk about his book 'The First Brexiteer - The Diaries Of Sir Neil Marten 1970-1979'.  Sir Neil was a Conservative MP and a leading opponent of the European Economic Community and served as a minister under Margaret Thatcher. 

It's a Clash Of the Tax Titans!  This week, podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by 4 people in the TPA podcast studio who are making their pitch as to the tax they think is the most hated and that must be scrapped.  They all have 2 minutes to make their case, then are cross examined by others in the studio.  A vote will then take place to determine the most despised tax.  Who and what will win? Take a listen! This week's guests: Maurice Cousins from Net Zero Watch   Max Marlow from the Adam Smith Institute and The YIMBY Initiative Benjamin Elks and Callum McGoldrick from the TPA. 

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined this week by Joanna Marchong, the TPA's Investigations Campaign Manager.  Their guest this week is Paul Wiltshire - education campaigner and author of 'Why Is The Average Graduate Premium Falling?' They discuss whether students are getting value for money from the country's universities and if the debt incurred in studying for a degree is still worth it when it comes to finding a good job.  You can read more about Paul's work on his University Watch website.

Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Elliot Keck.  Their guest is cultural campaigner and commentator Zewditu Gebreyohanes.  She is a former director of Restore Trust - the pressure group that aims to get the National Trust to return to basics.  Zewditu also wrote a report earlier this year entitled 'A shell of its former self - Is The National Trust Being Mismanaged?'  They discuss the current state of the National Trust and how many organisations have slipped into the world of woke.  You can FREELY subscribe to Zewditu's excellent Substack, The Custodian, here.