This week, the Sunday Times published its Rich List for 2024 – and it’s good news for Rishi Sunak. He and his wife, Akshata Murty, have climbed 30 places (from 275th to 245th) by increasing their worth by £120m in the past 12 months.

Or should that be bad news? Obviously, there are few among us who would be upset at the prospect of even our first £120m. But then, we aren’t a prime minister facing an election where the cost of living is likely to be uppermost in most voters’ minds when they enter the polling station.

In truth, however, the British public has tended to be much less exercised about their leaders’ personal wealth than many journalists and frustrated class warriors expect. Even in our less deferential and more meritocratic age, there is relatively little evidence of voters turning against a politician because they’re rich.

Sunak himself is a great example of this. When he was first appointed chancellor, his opponents were quick to try and weaponise his extraordinary wealth – but to little effect. Remember the attempt to whip up a........

© iNews