Economist Gary Stevenson is making waves after his appearance on Question Time this week. The debate was intense, especially when Stevenson clashed with GB News presenter Camilla Tominey over the controversial issue of a wealth tax.
Stevenson, who has become a key voice advocating for higher taxes on billionaires and millionaires, used the platform to defend his proposal. And boy, did he make an impact.
🏛️ A Heated Debate
The first question of the night centred on Rachel Reeves’ recent spring statement. It introduced cuts to the welfare bill, which sparked a debate about who should “plug the deficit” – benefit claimants or billionaires. Stevenson was quick to make his case for a wealth tax as a solution. He highlighted how taxes like this have worked in the past to redistribute wealth, particularly in the mid-20th century, and argued that the rich had gotten even richer after Covid.
🚨 Camilla Tominey’s Counter-Argument
Tominey wasn’t convinced by Stevenson’s argument. She invoked Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a billionaire living in Monaco, claiming that wealth taxes would drive billionaires out of the UK, making them pay nothing to the Treasury. Stevenson wasn’t having any of it. He pointed out that the rich often find ways to avoid taxes thanks to loopholes in the system.
💬 Stevenson Wins the Round
As Tominey floundered, trying to argue that it would be impossible to ensure the tax benefits the right people and not “train drivers,” Stevenson calmly dismantled her position. His sharp responses left Tominey scrambling, and viewers were quick to praise Stevenson for his strong performance.
On social media, many said he “humiliated” Tominey during the exchange. His ability to stay calm and clearly explain the benefits of a wealth tax earned him widespread admiration.
You can watch it below:
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