Do you know people who will emigrate if labour win?

[groyard]

This is making me all very stressed. Trying not to freak myself out over future socio-economic ramifications for the UK if there is a wider trend of “brain drain”.

Brother and BIL have both said that if Labour win they will be emigrating with their wives and children.

I’ve heard similar sentiment from others but assume (hope) this is hyperbole.

Just to say, none of the people mentioned are wealthy but just about comfortable. Both highly skilled and in demand internationally.

Yep.

Moving to Israel.

To be honest, we'll be going regardless of the election result but the Labour party's conduct has been a deciding factor.

Well obviously posts can be backfilled. People don't work for ever just because they're a high earner. It would be a very irresponsible and unsustainable business indeed who's success was entirely dependent on one individual remaining in post. You can rest assured there will be someone on your heels and you'll discover you're not indispensable. And yes, hopefully replacements will have more ethics than greed.

I lived in the Middle East and myself and my friend used to say "you pay no tax but they take 40% of your soul."

Some people have a great old time there, usually trailing spouses who have kids in school and maids. And teachers. They seemed to have a good time. Myself and most of my friends had to work much harder than we originally thought for that featherbed contract - with all sorts of madness incorporated into our daily role that would test the patience of a saint. Might not be the idyll he thinks.

Anyway, back to the original question. I don't know a single person wanting to leave Britain if Labour win. I know a fair who who would LOVE to leave if these absolute bunch of lying, mendacious twats get back in. Except that's made so much more difficult due to the shitshow that is Brexit.

did Phil Collins not say it too at some point? And Katie Hopkins.

I mean, no loss.

For me? Nothing. For society? It’s the loss of another higher rate tax payer that’s added to the capital flight statistics. Whether anyone else thinks it’s a good or bad thing doesn’t concern me any more than the ‘good riddance’ offends me.

The cold hard truth is that capital flight is a big problem and the opposite of what countries actually want if they’re aiming for economic prosperity. It isn’t the ones leaving that will have to deal with the mess left behind and shoulder an ever increasing burden, they’re home and dry. ironically it’s those that are celebrating their departure that will have to do that.

Tbh I already left years ago, we came back on my husband’s work contract which has now come to an end, so it isn’t because of an incoming Labour government.

Seriously, the braindrain already happened because of Brexit. Half the academics I know left the country.

@wutheringkites not sure that’s relevant to this discussion. I’m off work today. I really should be doing something more constructive.

😆

Not quite sure where people expect all this largesse that it supposed to come from Labour to appear from if all the high paying taxpayers have bailed.

This is not 1997 anyone. The government cannot borrow vast amounts of money on the markets and shovel it towards their preferred demographic. If they try that one we will end up exactly where Truss got to pretty quickly.

Every bit of extra spending is going to be paid for by taxing someone or something. Peoples usual line is that that "someone" should be "someone other than them" and that they "deserve more".

Only "someone other than them" might decide it is preferable to bail out and live somewhere else instead. Especially with the increased mobility of high paid workers that exists these days. Human capital is at a premium.

I am awaiting Labours manifesto with interest, which I am sure will explain where all the money is going to come from.

@Itwasabrightcoldayinapril

The fact you find the idea that a higher rate taxpayer might not resent paying tax to help fund the society they live in just highlights the gross individualism of the type of people we're discussing here.

These people have always existed - they are happy to take what they can from the state/ the privileges afforded by their families but then declare they owe nothing in return.

The people I know who moved to the ME to avoid paying tax are the type of people who turn up to dinner empty handed, complain there isn't enough wine and bore everyone to death their their self importance.

The ME?

I doubt many would leave. The labour of Keir Starmer is looking to be very centre politics, rather than leftie. He has not show any indication that he plans to raise taxes (which would be the main reason higher earners would consider leaving I would imagine). Although how he plans to pay for the promised improvements in public services it yet to be seen. The only tax raising policy announced was the tax on private school fees, which research has shown will be likely to be cost neutral - some parents will pay it, and a small amount will move their children into state school, costing the same amount that the VAT will raise, so not costing the country any money, but not increasing the per capita education funding either.
There is always the promised 'tax evasion crackdown' which no government labour or tory has managed to solve, so that can be discounted.
I have definitely had enough of Rishi, he has no dynamism or plan it seems. But I strongly suspect things won't change much under this labour government. Starmer seems to want to get to keep everyone happy, which usually results in lack of dramatic change for fear of rocking the boat.
We both work for state services (Council and nhs) and expect to see our wages go up a bit, our taxes to go up a bit, so probably won't see much difference financially.
I would like to say my work life will be easier with more suposed nhs funding, but if anything it was harder under the last labour government with the hard push from management to 'massage' the waiting list figures couple with working in a brand new but crumbling PFI hospital.
Hopefully this labour government will do better than Blair, Boris, Brown etc.

I posted too soon snd my message continued below.

I fully support fee increases but regard VAT as the wrong mechanism. I cannot think of s single academic colleague (we are Russell Group but I do interact with others) who has voiced disagreement with either part ifvthis statement

I already have though I've moved to a country where I pay more tax - which is fine as the services are better.

Nothing to do with the Labour party really though I run a business and they've never been a party that treat small businesses well. I just felt I'd been in England too long and had itchy feet.

I suspect Labour will be equally as shit as the Tories anyway.

Suits me fine, the less Tories, the better.

If the NHS improves we’ll get some doctors back. Very clever people. The Tory voters are welcome to go off elsewhere. Not that they’ll find it easy given their party has made it difficult to leave.

The top marginal income tax rate in most provinces of Canada is at least 45%. Food prices are considerably higher there than the UK and a much smaller proportion of children attend private school.
.

no.
Because Labour will do one term and be kicked out. Look back at history. Labour don't stick around long. And many other governments around the world are much worse: left leaning socialist governments around the EU mostly have harsher immigration laws and stricter, leaner welfare states,for one example.

As many of the wealthiest do not pay tax in this country, I am less concerned for the rich, more for the ever increasing wealth inequality.
Those who think it is a good idea to work in regimes like the UAE are welcome to go as I don't think we share the same standards, nor do I think they would be much of an asset to the country.
I am intrigued by the tone of the OP, but I guess this is how the boards will be used in the run up to the election: they walk among us.

What exactly makes them think the country will be so much worse under labour? Especially to the point of leaving the country. You say they’re not wealthy so I assume no private schools. This government has already decimated public services so could you explain their reasoning?

To answer your original question, I don’t know anyone planning to leave the country and I mix with people from many walks of life, including some extremely wealthy individuals.

Does sound like your brother and BIL leaving would be much of a brain drain, to be honest. People who make these grand statements are generally melodramatic and unable to actually give many details of what they think will be so bad that they need to uproot their entire lives.

Labour will do one term and be kicked out. Look back at history. Labour don't stick around long.
You mean like 1997-2010?

Interesting that you say your Brother...and your BIL are making these statements on behalf of their wives and children!

Also that you are bothered about brain drain.
I don't know anyone particularly clever that is a tory voter.
I know a few older wealthy people, some of whom may be well educated....but none especially bright (and mostly retired)

All the professionals I know are labour voters

Children of immigrants are not a monolith.

No but you'd think they'd have a modicum of common sense. It seems not.

It's very Priti Patel to pull up the ladder behind you once you've used it.

Quite. We have massively high tax now. The problem is that it isn't going anywhere that we can see. They pay high taxed and health insurance in Europe but if you live in a comparable Northern European country you have functioning public services, can get a doctors and dentists appointment, have a decent rail network and affordable childcare. We have had a country run for the benefit of the super rich and tax avoiding corporations and their shareholders for the past 14 years. That's why they pay most of the tax. Because they have been allowed to syphon off huge amounts of wealth, leaving the 99% living with stagnant pay that has to be topped up by benefits, chronically underfunded services, falling down schools, shitty rivers etc etc etc. Where has all of our taxes gone, because they haven't been spent on improving anything in this country for the majority of us.