Simon Richards
Simon Richards is the Chief Executive of The Freedom Association (TFA), which describes itself as a non-partisan, libertarian pressure group.[1]
Political Activity
He has been the driving force behind the Freedom Zone at Conservative party conferences.[2] In the 2013 Conservative party Conference, he provoked controversy by inviting Nigel Farage to speak at the Freedom Zone in an attempt to have, what he describes, as "real debates".[3] As the head of the Better Off Out campaign, he is very involved in discussion of British membership of the European Union, earning him a position as the 91st most influential right-winger in UK politics in 2013, according to The Telegraph.[4] Iain Dale, a columnist for The Telegraph, wrote in 2013 that he will be one of the main political figures in "Uniting The Right" in the run-up to the 2015 General Election.[5]
Political Views
Describing himself as a Thatcherite, he is an avid supporter of Margaret Thatcher, having been an outspoken defender of her following her death, amid demonstrations. He is quoted as having said: "We owe her so much. Please do not let her down at a time when her enemies are intent on demonstrating their hatred for her in the vilest of ways."[6]
He also has been a columnist for the Daily Mail.[7]
References
- ↑ The Freedom Association website
- ↑ There are still a few Conservatives left at the Conservative Party Conference – you'll mainly find them in the Freedom Zone, 22/10/2013
- ↑ Ukip would not exist if Thatcher were still Tory leader, says Norman Tebbit, 22/10/2013
- ↑ Top 100 most influential Right-wingers: 100-51, 22/10/2013
- ↑ The rise and rise of Nigel Farage.
- ↑ Liverpool fans show Thatcher contempt, 22/10/2013
- ↑ Simon Richards's recent articles, 22/10/2013