What explains Britain’s history? In a word: tax

Taxation may not seem a compelling subject for a book, but levies such as the Corn Laws have proved pivotal in shaping our story, says Dominic Frisby.

Sir Robert Peel by John Linnell.

Sir Robert Peel simplified taxes by removing over 600 duties
(Image credit: Credit: Granger Historical Picture Archive / Alamy Stock Photo)

I've just written a book all about the past, present and future of taxation. Not the most enticing subject for a book, you might think, but I promise you it is. There is fascinating story after fascinating story. Today and over the next two weeks, I'll be telling you some of them. The book's called Daylight Robbery and we actually get that expression from the window tax that was levied in Britain between 1696 and 1851.

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Dominic Frisby

Dominic Frisby (“mercurially witty” – the Spectator) is as far as we know the world’s only financial writer and comedian. He is the author of the popular newsletter the Flying Frisby and is MoneyWeek’s main commentator on gold, commodities, currencies and cryptocurrencies. He has also taken several of his shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

His books are Daylight Robbery - How Tax Changed our Past and Will Shape our Future; Bitcoin: the Future of Money? and Life After the State - Why We Don't Need Government

Dominic was educated at St Paul's School, Manchester University and the Webber-Douglas Academy Of Dramatic Art. You can follow him on X @dominicfrisby