a nation of taxpayers

A podcast from the Taxpayers' Alliance. Talking politics and highlighting waste in all forms of government and the public sector. Presented by Duncan Barkes with guests from the Taxpayers' Alliance and from across the world of politics. On X, follow the TaxPayers' Alliance @the_tpa More links and info here: https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/

Was Brexit Betrayed? 02/05/2026

Was Brexit Betrayed? 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/40005345

Andrew Rosindell MP: Being Right-Wing in 2026. 01/29/2026

Andrew Rosindell MP: Being Right-Wing in 2026. 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39921640

Can Britain's Democracy Survive Mass Immigration? 01/22/2026

Can Britain's Democracy Survive Mass Immigration? Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Elliot Keck are joined in the studio by Emma Trimble - writer, broadcaster and fellow at . 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39823155

Winning campaigns with Lord Matthew Elliott 01/15/2026

Winning campaigns with Lord Matthew Elliott 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39739420

Make or break time for the SDP 01/08/2026

Make or break time for the SDP 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39657095

Addressing A National Footballing Scandal 12/23/2025

Addressing A National Footballing Scandal 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39515555

Our 2025 Awards 12/18/2025

Our 2025 Awards 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39452640

Can the Tories get back the working class vote? 12/11/2025

Can the Tories get back the working class vote? 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39366175

The BBC's Very Public Breakdown 12/04/2025

The BBC's Very Public Breakdown 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39265430

BUDGET 2025: Reeves' Benefits Bonanza 11/26/2025

BUDGET 2025: Reeves' Benefits Bonanza 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39181105

Is It The End Of The Great British Pub? 11/20/2025

Is It The End Of The Great British Pub? 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 research paper. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39107015

End This Nonsense of Taxing People To Pay Debt Interest 11/13/2025

End This Nonsense of Taxing People To Pay Debt Interest 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/39018915

Is It Ever Possible To Fix The Tax System? 11/06/2025

Is It Ever Possible To Fix The Tax System? 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 . /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38935230

What Do Businesses Really Think About Rachel Reeves? 10/30/2025

What Do Businesses Really Think About Rachel Reeves? 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38841445

Where Have All The Conservatives Gone? 10/23/2025

Where Have All The Conservatives Gone? 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 . /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38753165

Is A Tory Bounce Back Possible? 10/16/2025

Is A Tory Bounce Back Possible? 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38602780

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride LIVE in Manchester 10/09/2025

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride LIVE in Manchester 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! /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38523770

Is this the 1970s all over again? LIVE RECORDING 10/02/2025

Is this the 1970s all over again? LIVE RECORDING 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38437385

Are We 2 Months Away From Economic Disaster? 09/25/2025

Are We 2 Months Away From Economic Disaster? 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38350350

Where is Britain heading politically? 09/18/2025

Where is Britain heading politically? 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38263655

From the Reform UK Conference in Birmingham 09/09/2025

From the Reform UK Conference in Birmingham 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38140945

Andrew Griffith MP on Inheritance Tax, Farage & the ECHR 09/04/2025

Andrew Griffith MP on Inheritance Tax, Farage & the ECHR 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/38083175

The Story Of The First Brexiteer 08/28/2025

The Story Of The First Brexiteer Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Callum McGoldrick are joined by Dr Tim Aker to talk about his book . Sir Neil was a Conservative MP and a leading opponent of the European Economic Community and served as a minister under Margaret Thatcher. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/37998050

What is Britain's most hated tax? 08/21/2025

What is Britain's most hated tax? 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. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/37901490

Higher Education - The Real Cost Of The Graduate Premium 08/14/2025

Higher Education - The Real Cost Of The Graduate Premium 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 website. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/37813840

Fighting Wokeism & Restoring The National Trust 08/07/2025

Fighting Wokeism & Restoring The National Trust 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 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, . /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/37715840

Should the NHS be privatised? 07/31/2025

Should the NHS be privatised? Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by Shimeon Lee, Policy Analyst at the TPA. Their guest this week is Kristian Niemietz, Editorial Director at the Institute of Economic Affairs. They chat about the recent strike by resident doctors and also whether the time has come to privatise the NHS. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/37618150

Gawain Towler on Reform UK, Farage, Lowe, Habib & Yusuf. 07/24/2025

Gawain Towler on Reform UK, Farage, Lowe, Habib & Yusuf. Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Will Yarwood are joined by Gawain Towler, former Head of Press for UKIP, The Brexit Party and Reform UK. They talk about Reform UK's first year in Parliament and Gawain's departure from the party, along with his thoughts on Rupert Lowe, Ben Habib and Zia Yusuf. There's also chat about the this year's local election results, waistcoats and churches. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/37530280

Should we really leave the ECHR? 07/17/2025

Should we really leave the ECHR? Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Will Yarwood are joined by Karl Williams, Research Director at the Centre for Policy Studies. The CPS has published a paper: They discuss whether Britain could or should quit the ECHR. They also chat about the latest stats revealing how many foreign nationals are in receipt of Universal Credit in the UK. /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/37438530

Rupert Lowe MP talks guns, Tories and Restore Britain 07/10/2025

Rupert Lowe MP talks guns, Tories and Restore Britain Podcast host Duncan Barkes and the TPA's Will Yarwood are joined once again by Rupert Lowe MP. Since he was last on the podcast, Rupert is no longer a Reform UK MP but now sits as an Independent MP representing Great Yarmouth. They chat bout Rupert's first year in Parliament, his leaving of Reform UK, police seizing his firearms in an unannounced visit and his new project, . /episode/index/show/9864e3c1-9946-4d80-ad28-f460414cc97b/id/37358005

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