When supporter Russell Booth heard of local protests against bonuses for Staffordshire Moorlands Council officers, he went along to join the crowds and represent the TPA on this prominent local issue.
Armed with a homemade TaxPayers’ Alliance banner, he took to the streets along with more than 50 others to try to prevent 22 council executives receiving hefty bonuses that could be as much as 15% of their annual salary and – obviously – paid for by taxpayers. Unfortunately demonstrators were banned from the chamber and proposals were rubber stamped regardless of this unusual level of public resistance.
Russell made his opposition quite clear, telling a local paper, "It is outrageous that bonuses have ever been considered in the present climate”.
Quite right.
So congratulations Russell! It’s great to see some real grassroots action! We may not have had a favourable result on this occasion, but it’s only by persevering and keeping up the pressure that we can hope to see real change within the political system.
It was Margaret Mead who said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Keep up the good work!
If any readers would like to take some grassroots action themselves – be it leafleting, petitioning, protesting on a particular issue or generally spreading the word – then do get in touch with me: [email protected]. I’ll look forward to hearing from you!