Radio 4 investigates the political clubFollowing on from the MPs' expenses scandal, Michael Crick (right) has produced a new documentary - The Political Club - for Radio 4 that seeks to establish the full size and cost of the political club as a whole, from Brussels through Westminster right down to local councils. They've exposed some remarkable truths about the growth of the political class, and about the taxpayer-funding of political parties through the back door. As part of the investigation, Crick interviewed the TPA's Campaign Director Mark Wallace, Knaresborough TPA activist and council whistleblower Richard Hall and numerous politicians from every level of Government. The programme will air on BBC Radio 4 at 11am on Monday 13th July - it will be well worth a listen. The BBC will also be trailing the programme on other shows, including BBC Breakfast, so keep a look out for more appearances by the TPA!
A planning disaster averted in Bath…for now
On Wednesday we were down in Bath for a crucial event in our local campaign with Alliance members the Save Bathampton Meadows Campaign and Response2Route. The occasion was a crucial meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council Development Control Committee, on the Bath Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme. The BRT scheme is a multi-million pound plan to create new park and ride schemes in Bath. The council, however, haven’t budgeted properly, and estimates are that the project is already forecast to overrun by £800,000, leading residents to fear it could end up like the Bath Spa project, which ended up some £30 million over budget. We were there on Wednesday to oppose the plan because local ratepayers shouldn’t face a tax increase because of the council’s mismanagement of the scheme.
Quite shockingly the meeting descended into farce. Our side originally won, with the Committee rejecting the expensive, poorly planned scheme by 6 votes to 5. The chairman then said they had to vote again and explain why! This resulted in a tie and brought a halt to the plans – a big victory for us and our friends in SBM and R2R. You can read about the day’s activities here.
Also, if you are a member of a local campaign group and would like to become Alliance members like Response2Route, Save Bathampton Meadows and other local residents associations or community groups, please email Tim Aker tim.aker@taxpayersalliance.com. We’re here to help you fight to make your local area as you want it to be – without the council interfering in our daily lives.
East Riding Action Day
Campaigning in Cornwall
TPA supporter Mike Kemp is looking for other activists and supporters in Cornwall who want to campaign against soaring Chief Executive compensation and for greater accountability over mismanagement and waste in local government. If you are interested please contact Mike by emailing him at mikekempemail@btinternet.com
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