Train drivers’ union leader Mick Leader says inequality in Britain “has to be addressed. I don’t care what colour government does it, but it can’t be ignored”
A union boss has backed calls for a wealth tax on “parasites” who don’t pay their fair share.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers union Aslef, said: “When people say, ‘oh if you tax the rich and they will leave’, let them bloody well go. Let them stop being a drain on our roads and street lights and our rubbish and our society and things they are not contributing to. We talk about freeloaders and people and spongers – we never talk about the real parasites.”
His blunt comments come amid pressure on Labour to announce a wealth tax in the autumn Budget. Former Labour leader Lord Kinnock has suggested a 2% levy on assets of more than £10million to bring in up to £11billion.
But it appears senior ministers are wary, with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds recently branding the idea “daft”.
Mr Whelan said: “I don’t reject wealth creators, I don’t object to those who share their wealth, but there are an awful lot of people in the UK who don’t create any opportunity, who take advantage of the country and don’t pay their fair share, and that has to be looked at.
“If we look at the increase in poverty while there has been an increase in wealth for the few, at some point it has to be addressed. I don’t care what colour government does it, but it can’t be ignored.
It came as Mr Whelan hinted at his own support for ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s new left-wing political party. Mr Corbyn, who was ousted from Labour last year, said the party will “take on the rich and powerful”.
Mr Whelan said: “It would be nice to have a voice on the left,” but added “I’m not sure quite sure how dynamic it will be.”
As Aslef is affiliated to Labour, it cannot campaign for any other party.
Mr Whelan said he met Mr Corbyn at an event two weeks ago, but says the issue of the new party did not come up.
He hailed Labour’s first year in power, saying the party had achieved a “massive amount”.
Among its milestones is starting the process of nationalising huge swathes of the country’s railway.
However, Mr Whelan urged the government to go further by investing heavily in new signalling and electrifying the rail network – just 40% is currently – to boost capacity and hopefully drive down fares. Asked how much needs to be spent, Mr Whelan said: “Whatever it takes.”