Well we’ve had quite a week on the campaign front so I thought it was time to give you an update.
We’re up to 37,300 signatures now, and although it’s fair to say it’s been a real slog getting here from 30,000, there is a real wave of fresh momentum, energy and commitment, and things are starting to move again.
The Autumn Statement this week made it clear that the funds to cut the deficit are mainly going to come from the forecast growth in the economy. That means us, the small business owners. We’re the engine of that growth, so we need to make sure our businesses aren’t hit by this tax.
Campaign event yesterday
We held our second campaign event yesterday, which was very kindly hosted by Geldards at NG2. We were so lucky to have a packed house; I think everyone who had booked actually turned up. We had two amazing speakers; Jenna Frudd from FC7 Construction and Ian Baxter from Baxter Freight, who both told such passionate stories about their business struggles and why risk taking entrepreneurs need real support from Government, not extra taxation.
The very best thing about the event was the overwhelming level of support and help from everyone in the room. There were tons of great ideas and everyone took away actions, and all day yesterday and today people have been emailing and talking to their contacts, clients and friends, putting posts on LinkedIn and other social media, getting in touch with business group leaders and high profile entrepreneurs.
We also have 3 PR companies who want to help; so we’ll have a proper marketing and PR strategy, unlike my “make it up as I go along” approach.
I can’t tell you how good it is to have the support, and not just an even longer list of things I needed to do. At some point I need to get back to running my own business!
Sponsorship
Last week we were bowled over with an offer of financial sponsorship of the campaign from Lyn Kent, MD of Belsoft Strategic Accounting. This will make it possible to get the campaign out further and will certainly take the pressure off us funding it alone. Lyn a huge thank you to you!
Campaign team
In the last few weeks we’ve recruited a campaign team (another good idea from Lyn Kent)
So we now have Lyn Kent, Stuart Ross, Deborah Labbate, Simon Gray, Phil Bray, Lisa Spencer-Arnell and Martin Knox, and they’re all busy pushing the campaign out and developing our connections.
Useful connections
In the last few weeks I’ve had a meeting with the FSB, who are going to talk to the London office to see if they can back the campaign, been in touch with the Tax Payers Alliance and president of the British Chambers of Commerce. Following the event yesterday people with the right contacts are talking to the IOD, local Chambers, Academy for Chief Executives and many others.
Dozens of MPs have now had letters from various constituents around the country and although some are dismissive, many have said they will look into it further and have asked for more details of our arguments. We had a lovely letter from our own MP Ken Clarke, which was very encouraging.
And finally…. David Cameron
Sorry to leave the most exciting news till last. You might remember that one of the campaign supporters, Alan Morgan who runs accountancy practice Morgan Harris in Oxford, was going to contact his local MP about the issue, and that his MP happened to be David Cameron. Well Alan had his meeting last Friday. A short sharp 15 minutes of robust debate. The upshot was that the Prime Minister is “receptive to any alternative solution we could come up with that would be fairer for small businesses and their owners.” Watch this space.
Alan has been on local BBC radio this week and this morning was on BBC Oxford TV. Who knows where this could go.
You can read Alan’s blog about his meeting here (link is external)
And can I just say, Alan you’re a campaign rock star!
So where now?
We can see the light now. We believe this is possible. And every single person can do something to help, no matter how small. It all adds up to a big difference. Everyone one knows someone useful who can get into another network of businesses.
Can you imagine how it would feel if we actually pull this off and manage to get the Government to reconsider this? And how great will it be to keep your taxes down and keep more of those damn hard- earned profits?
WE CAN DO THIS!
And what can you do?
Something, please
If you believe that we should be rewarded for the risk, stress, low pay, lack of holiday and sick pay and pensions, and not have to pay an extra tax then please BACK the petition.
Don’t wait for me to tell you what you could do, just do it, like the 60 people we had at our event. Tell people, tell your clients, friends and contacts, get on social media, think who you know who could be useful and get them on board.
I can send a key facts sheet with the petition link if that would be useful, just drop me a note on email.
Sign the petition!
And if you STILL haven’t done it, then SIGN THE PETITION (link is external). If you keep meaning to do it later, then later is NOW! https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/106525 (link is external)
We’ve only got 11 weeks until the petition ends, and our opportunity is lost. Let’s not let that happen. This CAN go viral again if enough people get behind it.