The Freedom Association campaign day – 7th September, Epsom

The Freedom Association the non-partisan, centre-right, classically liberal campaign group, is holding a campaign day in Epsom on Saturday 7th September.  The plan for the day is to hand out leaflets (images below) in support of their campaign to challenge the erosion of civil liberties and in support of individual liberty and freedom of expression.

Join us meeting outside The Assembly Rooms (147–153 High Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8EH) at 10:30am and we will break up into groups around the town depending on numbers, stay as long as you can but we are finishing no later than 1pm, and anyone is welcome to join us for a drink.

Come along Saturday 7th September in Epsom for 10:30am outside The Assembly Rooms.  We only ask that you wear no party colours or badges as The Freedom Association has cross-party support.

Facebook: https://fb.me/e/5tNLRg0g0

Photo and Video from the day:

Find out more at https://www.tfa.net/ and become a member at https://www.tfa.net/become_a_member_renew_your_membership.

Main image includes work from Cristian Bortes from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Spring in Epsom.

Podcast Episode 92 – Tim Scott: The Outlook for Freedom

We are joined by Tim Scott, The Executive Director of The Freedom Association, who gives us his thoughts on the General Election result and the outlook for freedom in this country and further afield.

For more on The Freedom Association, to https://www.tfa.net/ and follow Tim at https://twitter.com/TimScottUK.

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Contents:
00:00 – Intro
02:05 – General Election Result
08:25 – Labour Government
18:00 – Key Issues for freedom
22:00 – Freedom Internationally
24:10 – TFA’s Plans
30:46 – Website & Events
32:24 – Outro

Podcast Episode 82 – Simon Richards: Local Election Results & No Sunset for EU Laws

We are joined by Simon Richards, the former CEO of The Freedom Association, as we discuss the local election results and the delay in removing EU laws. We then chat with Simon about his time with the Freedom Association, the Better Off Out campaign, lockdowns, and the big issues of today.

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Contents:
00:00 – Intro
01:40 – Local Election Results
10:52 – Delay in Removing EU Laws
23:45 – Chat with Simon
50:26 – Outro

The inaugural Freedom Festival

On Saturday, 25 March 2023 the Margaret Thatcher Centre, in conjunction with The Freedom Association and the University of Buckingham, held its inaugural Freedom Festival.  Through a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions and armchair-style interviews, the one-day conference explored issues relating to freedom of expression, cancel culture and the role of the rule of law and natural justice in modern society.

Among those who spoke were prominent MPs, Peers, academics, lawyers and journalists.  These included:

  • Lord Hannan of Kingsclere
  • Conor Burns MP
  • Steve Baker MP
  • Greg Smith MP
  • Mark Littlewood, The Institute of Economic Affairs
  • Toby Young, The Free Speech Union
  • Iain Dale, Broadcaster, Podcaster, Author & Publisher
  • Tom Harwood, GB News
  • James Heale, The Spectator
  • Paul Staines, Guido Fawkes
  • Andrew Allison, The Freedom Association
  • David Campbell Bannerman, The Conservative Democratic Organisation
  • Grant Tucker, Broadcaster & Journalist
  • Mahyar Tousi, Podcaster

Steve Bakers controversial speech made the Spectator. The conference concluded with a dinner where the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman KC MP was in attendance and gave a speech on her views of Freedom.  An excellent event with photos below.  Well worth looking out for next year.  It’s also worth considering joining The Freedom Association to keep up to date on these important issues and events.

Fight For Freedom

by Mike Swadling

In February, I attended The Freedom Association (TFA) Jillian Becker Lecture held in London. Nigel Farage gave this year’s lecture, with an introduction from TFA’s Chairman and former MEP David Campbell Bannerman and a great summary by Chief Executive Andrew Allison.

Farage, as you can expect, gave a great speech covering many topics not least of all the need to fight against Net Zero environmental policies. He stayed for a fantastic question-and-answer, and never looks better than thinking on his feet with a live audience. For me, possibly the best thing about the event was that it was great to meet up with people you know, people you’ve heard of, and new people involved in all sorts of searches for freedom, or as Nigel put it; ‘it felt like old times’.

“The Freedom Association itself has a proud history of supporting freedom in our country. It’s ten principles of a free society cover individual freedom, responsibility, the rule of law, limited government, free markets, national parliamentary democracy”

The Freedom Association itself has a proud history of supporting freedom in our country. It’s ten principles of a free society cover individual freedom, responsibility, the rule of law, limited government, free markets, national parliamentary democracy, and – something in desperate need of bringing to the fore – freedom of speech, expression, and assembly.

It is a great organisation, and I would encourage anyone to join not least for events like this but also because it’s a great way to support the fight for freedom in Britain. The event was also a great opportunity to meet people from difference parties; the Conservatives, the Reform Party, UKIP, the Heritage Party, journalists from the left and right, people from academia, and a range of activists all believing that we have a right to be free.

Events like these are also a great opportunity to make new contacts. I was busy picking up business cards from people in a variety of thinktanks who I certainly hope to persuade to be on our podcast if not at a live event. One of the greatest feelings I got from the experience was the overwhelming sense of community and comfort in not being alone in one’s beliefs.

“going to see ‘Kevin Bloody Wilson’, the Australian singing comic, at a local theatre. All the political correctness we see in life, all the push back against ‘insensitive’ jokes, suddenly disappears when you’re in a theatre full of people singing songs with names to rude for me to mention”

Social media is no substitute for real life meet-ups in the flesh, especially with a large crowd. I had a similar experience recently going to see ‘Kevin Bloody Wilson’, the Australian singing comic, at a local theatre. All the political correctness we see in life, all the push back against ‘insensitive’ jokes, suddenly disappears when you’re in a theatre full of people singing songs with names to rude for me to mention.

But things are improving on this front. We hold a regular Libertarian Drinks here in Croydon as part of Dick Dellingpole’s Third Wednesday group. They are gaining popularity across the country, and you can find your local meet-up on the website. One is due to be set up in Christopher Wilkinson’s home city of Lichfield sometime soon. What’s been excellent for us is seeing the group expand from what started as a pro-Brexit group to include some people too young to vote at the time of the referendum! As we hopefully put lockdown well and truly behind us, in real life is clearly the way forward. In the meantime, the whole Jillian Becker Lecture is now available to watch on YouTube.

This article was originally published in the Blacklist Press, February 14 Free Speech Newsletter.

Podcast Episode 68 – Andrew Allison: Ukraine Invasion, Croydon Council’s Woes & The Freedom Association

We are joined by Andrew Allison, the Chief Executive of The Freedom Association, as we discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the latest financial woes at Croydon Council. We then chat with Andrew about his background and the great work of The Freedom Association.

Find out more about The Freedom Association at https://www.tfa.net/. Andrew tweets at @Andrew_Allison.

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