The TaxPayers' Alliance regularly reaches millions of people every week through traditional media such as television and newspapers. But just as we were ahead of our time when we were founded in 2004, now there are new battlegrounds online - and we are leading the charge.
This week we've launched our new video podcast, TPA Talks. It will be the go-to series for interviews and discussions on a range of taxpayer topics, plus a plethora of special guests. This is a new and exciting way to promote our core message of reforming taxes and public services, cutting waste and speaking up for British taxpayers.
The TPA YouTube channel currently has around 1,000 subscribers. Help us get to 2,000 by the end of next week.
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In our very first episode of TPA Talks we spoke to American wrestling superstar, mayor of Knox County, Tennessee and low tax advocate, Glenn Jacobs aka Kane. In a fascinating discussion with our political director James Roberts, Mayor Jacobs wrestled with everything from Donald Trump to coronavirus and why low taxes work. Click here to watch the full episode.
Specifically on lower taxes he pointed out that, “...the state of Tennessee, [is] the third most friendly tax state in the country when it comes to state and local taxes, and we are seeing businesses come here from other places”. This very much chimes with our own research showing the positive effects low taxes have on entrepreneurship.
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We need your help to reach as many people online as possible. Together, we can change the country. Here are three simple things you can do to promote the TaxPayers' Alliance online:
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking here.
- Share our videos and podcasts with your friends and family.
- Give us your feedback. We want to know what you'd like us to discuss and who we should talk to. Click here to send us your suggestions.
The more people we reach the better our chances of winning more battles for taxpayers.
We hope you enjoy the first edition of TPA Talks. There will be lots more content in the coming weeks - including an interview with a former Downing Street adviser - so make sure you subscribe for the latest updates!
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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Policy victory on foreign aid
Fantastic news for taxpayers this week as Boris Johnson announced that the Department for International Development would be merged with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It is clear that the PM agrees with us that serious change is needed, saying "taxpayers must get the maximum possible value for every pound spent".
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Our recent report on overseas aid was even mentioned by a Labour MP in the House of Commons earlier this week. As I explained to talkRadio host Mike Graham, the merger is a welcome first step on how public money is spent on aid. The end result must be a saving for taxpayers. The government must go further and scrap the aid spending target (currently around £15 billion). Legislation already makes this possible and we will continue to exert pressure on No. 10.
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Sadiq slashes his salary after TPA pressure
Following our extensively reported research into sky-high salaries at London City Hall last week, we are already having a huge impact. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has taken a 10 per cent pay cut and frozen the pay of 15 of his political appointments.
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This is just the start though. Transport for London must now follow suit and review their own shocking wage bill to ensure value for money for London's taxpayers.
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10 quangos that can kindle the bonfire
The quangocracy is out of control. It’s high time we cleaned up the state. But which quangos should be first on the chopping block? With literally hundreds to choose from, there is no shortage of options.
This week I put together a selection of 10 of the most aggravating consumers of taxpayer money that should be part of the next effort to reignite the bonfire of the quangos that former PM David Cameron started back in 2010. Click here to read more.
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Meet the new boss, same as the old boss
A former Pepsi exec is about to become one of the most influential people in Britain. That’s because the BBC has opted for marketing guru, Tim Davie, as its new director general. The challenges he faces are almost insurmountable. As policy analyst Darwin Friend writes "the BBC must change or it will simply die out". So what change is needed? Click here to find out.
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Painting themselves into a corner
Glasgow council has come under heavy fire after spending a bewildering £20,000 on a portrait of former Lord Provost Sadie Docherty. The extortionate cost of the work was approved in 2017, the same year ratepayers were lumbered with a 3 per cent council tax hike.
To add insult to injury, Docherty met the portrait painter on a taxpayer funded jolly in New York. This is just one of a number of foreign jaunts with her husband to exotic destinations in business class luxury.
Previous Provosts have also enjoyed the council’s gravy train. Docherty’s successor Eva Bolander claimed £8,000 worth of clothes and shoes on expenses in 2019. There’s no excuse for such reckless spending with taxpayers’ cash. The council must clean up its act by vanquishing this scandalous expenditure.
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Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager
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