Yesterday evening the TaxPayers' Alliance celebrated its fifth anniversary. I remember talking to Matthew Elliott when he was first raising money for the TPA. I remember his excitement when the first thousands came in. Since then he, and a great team, have put the TPA into the elite of Britain's pressure groups.
Matthew has a rare combination of intellectual ability, ideological clarity and personal charm. He could earn a fortune in the private sector.
I hope he won't be leaving for a private sector job any time soon. The TPA is needed now more than ever. The British economy can't afford higher taxation without risking a massive flight of brain and capital. Yet, yet, yet the pressure, in 'Bankrupt Britain', for massive tax hikes in the coming years is going to be enormous. Even instinctively tax-cutting Tory MPs can't be relied upon once they become part of Whitehall spending ministries and advocates for their departments' mission and staff.
The TPA is the British taxpayers' best ally. Matthew's team must continue to lead those of us who believe that the inflated level of public spending is the much greater problem and only when a government has embarked on a programme of public sector waste reduction and public service reform should there be higher taxes on already stressed-out families and businesses. Tax rises are probably going to be necessary once we are out of recession but they can't be a first resort.
Matthew and his Chairman Andrew Alum have achieved a great deal in five years but their work has only just begun.
