Labour’s proposed mansion tax has divided opinion in Barnet.

Under the proposals, owners of properties worth more than £2m would face an annual charge. However, the party says it will raise the starting threshold as prices rise, and that there would be protection for cash-poor but asset-rich owners.

Labour says that the tax would raise £1.2bn, which would go to the NHS.

Mike Freer, Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, has launched a campaign against the proposals.

Mr Freer, who surveyed people in his constituency on the issue, said: “The tax would be disastrous locally where the price of the average family home has risen sharply. Thousands of constituents stated they would have to move home or suffer financial hardship if the tax was introduced, which is why I shall continue to campaign vehemently against the proposals.”

However, Sarah Sackman, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Finchley and Golders Green, said she supported the “progressive and fair” tax.

Ms Sackman added: “More than 98 per cent of people in Finchley and Golders Green will not be affected and there will be protections to ensure that no one will have to move, however expensive their house is.

“Owners of the most expensive houses have paid the same council tax as many families in ordinary homes for 20 years – it’s time for a fairer, more progressive tax on property.”

The Times Series asked people in East Finchley what they thought of the mansion tax.

John Perry, 64, a retired solicitor from East Finchley, thought it was a bad idea.

He said: “I think it’s a ludicrous tax based on class envy. It’s interesting that already a number of London Labour-controlled councils have come out totally against it. It will affect some people in this area, I am sure.

“I think it’s very obvious, if you look around London, that there must be thousands of elderly people who aren’t cash rich, but will be affected. It’s a land-grabbing thing and it’s wrong. People who are affected are angry about it. Change the council tax bands or something like that. Sort those out.”

Times Series:

Daniel Ferri, 68, from East Finchley, said it was a difficult issue.

He said: “You need to raise the money, and I think a mansion tax is fair enough, especially if you have a bedroom tax, which is unfair. I think you have to be careful about the tax going on normal houses though. I don’t think there are that many houses worth that much around here. I suppose it will be a big issue during the election.”

Times Series:

Lynette Small, 72, a teacher from East Finchley, said she supported it, although consideration had to be given to the fact London was likely to be heavily affected.

She said: “At the moment, all the extra money is coming from the poor and people on low incomes, and not from the people who have pots of money. It would have to be fair throughout the country though. London is completely different from any other part.”

Times Series:

Amina Yaqin, 42, a university lecturer from Finchley Central, agreed with the tax.

She said: “I think it sounds like a good idea. The NHS definitely is something we have which is in serious need of further funding. It costs a lot. I think if you want to have a good society, then the fundamentals are health and duty of care to people. You have to look after the public services, and that’s where I think the squeeze has been great. It will be a big issue leading up to the election.”

Times Series: