One of the measures that Britain took to alleviate its enormous war debt was the McKenna Duties, a one-third tax on certain foreign luxuries imposed from 1915. These were revoked when Labour came to power in 1924, then reimposed when the Conservatives regained control nine months later. The reaction was mixed.
Deposed chancellor Philip Snowden lamented that his move had increased employment and exports and reduced car prices, and that re-imposition would only hit drivers of modest means. Walter Guinness, on behalf of new chancellor Winston Churchill, countered that few British cars had actually been reduced in price, and nor had the benefit been passed on to buyers of foreign luxury cars.