All change at The Freedom Association

Don’t worry, The Freedom Association isn’t about to join fruitcakes such as Tony Blair and Lord Heseltine in arguing that the UK would be better off in the Euro! Nor is it going to swallow the BBC’s obsession with public spending cuts, when ‘welfare’ spending is still increasing, from an historic high. But, nonetheless, important changes are afoot here.

Stephanie Lis, who has done a tremendous job for us over the past year as Campaign Manager (and, before that, as an Intern) is leaving us to work with Ruth Porter at the IEA (Institute of Economic Affairs). Ruth – and, of course, Mark Littlewood – have done great things at the IEA. I’m sure that Stephanie will be an important addition to their team and I’d like to thank her for all that she has done for The Freedom Association and to wish her every success in Lord North Street.

As part of our commitment to continuing to raise our profile, influence and impact, Stephanie will be succeeded by not one but two  full-time staff, who will be based in London.

Rory Broomfield, who has an outstanding academic record and has worked for Theresa May, Richard Shepherd and other MPs will lead our Better Off Out campaign and publications programme, putting the case for the UK to move away from Little Europeanism and to embrace free trade with the Anglosphere and the rest of the world. Rory, who is half-Swiss, has first hand knowledge of just how successful a European country can be, free from the dead hand of EU regulation.

Dia Chakravarty, who read Jurisprudence at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, comes to us from Banking on Change, a partnership between Barclay’s Bank (it’s not all bad, you know!), Plan International and CARE International to extend access to basic financial services to over 400,000 disadvantaged people. Dia will be making the case for free enterprise and free trade as the best and most morally justifiable economic systems, which have brought unimagined prosperity to billions of people. Born in Bangladesh, Dia holds traditional British freedoms dear and will lead our defence of freedom of expression and individual liberty under the law.

I am delighted that, from an exceptionally strong field of applicants, The Freedom Association has secured two such talented and committed people. Both will hold the newly created position of Deputy Director.

Last, but most definitely not least, Jane Broadhurst, who has done wonders for us as Office Manager over the past three years, is leaving next week and I’m going to miss her immensely. Having had to work with me, Jane has, for some reason, developed an interest in mental health issues, so is embarking on a psychotherapy course! Seriously though, it’s something she’s always wanted to do – and she’s getting married shortly, too, so she’ll have her hands full. Again, I’d like to thank her for all she’s done for us and to wish her every success in the future.

So, all change at TFA! The new team will be the largest and most experienced we’ve had for very many years. I am confident that it will make a major impact in the massive task of defending freedom and regaining Britain’s independence from the European Union.

Simon Richards