Friday, 29 January 2010

TaxPayers' Alliance Bulletin - 29th January 2010
 
Farewell to Susie Squire
 
We're bidding a fond farewell this week to Susie Squire, our Political Director, who has chosen to move on to pastures new after a hectic year and a half at the TPA. Susie has made a great contribution to our work, and has helped to drive the TPA's message to the top of the news agenda. She will be sorely missed by all of us here at head office, and I'm sure the large numbers of you who have been in direct contact with her during her time here will agree that she's done fantastic work. Given the talent and dedication Susie has displayed in fighting the TPA's corner, we're certain she will go on to great things, and she'll remain a close friend both to the TPA as an organisation and to each of us individually.
 
In her farewell message, Susie says:
 
"I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has made my time here at the TPA so enjoyable, interesting and fulfilling. It has been the most incredible experience to work in a place where the staff and supporters around the country work tirelessly and passionately to make a difference. We've had so many high points, it's hard to know where to begin. Our supporters and my interaction with them has been a massively humbling experience. These are the real heroes, the people who wish to serve their communities by giving a voice to local taxpayers' concerns and fearlessly speaking up when they think something is wrong. Thank you for all your support -  keep fighting the good fight guys, I'll be following your progress every step of the way."
 
You can read her full message here. We wish her the best of luck for the future, and I'm sure we'll be hearing from her soon.
 
MPs' expenses meetings
 
As part of the IPSA consultation process that will decide once and for all the new system of MPs' expenses, there are a series of public meetings being held around the country to ask the public's opinion. If you'd like to go to one in your area, here are the details of those currently arranged:
  • Edinburgh on Wednesday 3rd February 2010 from 6.30pm to 9.30pm
  • Birmingham on Friday 5th February 2010 from 6.30pm to 9.30pm
  • Belfast on Monday 8th February 2010 from 6.30pm to 9.30pm

To register to attend, please send an email to info@ipsa.gsi.gov.uk with your name, email address and the meeting you want to attend. If you're planning to attend one of the meetings, do have a read of our guide to the different proposals being put forward in the consultation here. If you aren't able to attend the meetings, or if one hasn't been scheduled in your area yet, there is still time to take part in the online consultation using the link in our blog post here. 

Harman scuppers crucial Parliamentary reform
 
We have come to expect that some MPs and Ministers will take any opportunity to scupper important reforms of Parliament, but this week Harriet Harman excelled herself. Faced with long overdue proposals, which have cross-party support, to strengthen Select Committees, she obviously decided that a stronger Commons, with more ability to hold the Government to account, would be a bad thing for power-hungry politicans like herself. With the help of the Chief Whip, Nick Brown, she unearthed an obscure procedural measure which she could use to sink the proposals. You can read more about her shoddy behaviour, and find her email address so you can write to register your disugst at these sly tactics, here.  
 
TPA Activist on Radio 4's Westminster Hour
 
Earlier in the week, our branch organiser in Hull and the East Riding, Andrew Allison, was interviewed for Radio 4's Westminster Hour. The topic for discussion was the rise of public anger and people power around the country in the fight for lower taxes. We're sure he will have done a great job, and this is yet another example of the TPA taking the opinions of real taxpayers in the real world right to the heart of the Westminster Village. You can hear the programme this Sunday at 10pm on BBC Radio 4.
 
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Posted by Britannia Radio at 19:07