Seen that opinion poll in which millionaires say they're in favour of a wealth tax on millionaires? It's an absolute masterclass in how to get the polling result that you want. And the detail shows the opposite of what we're told it shows. Thread:
The first thing is the ridiculous leading questions. That striking 80% result is from the fourteenth question. Here are the previous thirteen:
Any pollster is reading this, and fancies a laugh? Ask exactly the same question but with 13 prior questions leading in the opposite direction. I'd wager £10m* I know what happens. (*not real money) Obligatory Yes, Prime Minister clip: youtube.com I understand why lobbyists play these games, but bit disappointed in Survation: Market Research Society guidance - "any questions asked need to be accurate, balanced, and unambiguous and must not lead research participants to a particular point of view"
However, the leading questions are just the start of the fun. Look what happens when (in the same poll!) you ask people at what point we should apply a wealth tax. It turns out people with £1m in assets are against taxing people with £1m in assets. People with £10m of wealth feel those with £250m should pay more tax.
Fundamentally, this poll does not show what Patriotic Millionaires say it shows. It just shows that people at all levels of wealth think people wealthier than them should pay more tax. Who knew? Lobby groups are always going to commission polls designed to change opinion, not measure it. And then publish the results that suit their agenda and ignore the ones that undermine it. The rest of us should ignore them. Wealth tax supporters rely on rigged polls because they can't deal with the substance. The problems with the wealth tax are serious. That's why no country in the world has ever implemented a tax like the one proposed. More on this in our updated report on the wealth tax, including the taxes that people who care about inequality should actually be focusing on taxpolicy.org.uk