I'm not quite as critical of the Labour List site as others are. I'd say that it's important that Labour get their content out there and start defending it properly - as well as taking on the more dishonest rivals that the Party has largely given free reign to in the past.
There's a lot more of it now than there was before LL came out - and that can only be a good thing. Here's a good example: Derek Draper taking on the odious Taxpayers Alliance over corporate tax avoidance, their endorsement of it, and the obvious conclusion that anyone can draw - that they are really saying that ordinary taxpayers have to pick up the slack.
He concludes: perhaps they should change their name to the "Corporate Tax Avoiders' Alliance"?
- Who are these people?
- Who funds them?
- Are they a black-bag operation run by the Tories?
- How much tax do the people who fund them pay?
- When do their contributors celebrate Tax Freedom Day?
- Which journalists uncritically run with their stories - names? Dates? URLs?
- Which editors employ journalists who uncritically run their stories?
- Which media-owners employ editors who employ .... oh, you get the picture
This is what Hashtags are for. C'mon guys - I've got too much on my plate to do this, but someone can, can't they?
Update: 4th Feb - Don Paskini has weighed in.
PS - Just remembered this from the archive:
If the TPA gets a free ride in the press, it is only because it's made things so easy for hard-pressed/lazy (take your pick) reporters. "We are always available 24 hours a day," says Elliott. "We put the work in so we get good coverage."
Another reason to blow the whistle!
3 comments:
I'm guessing they are not a Charity - though if they are some work could be done. Are they a limited company? There could be some purchase there - or if they have any evident associations with limited companies.
They are a limited company, number 04873888. Companies House will have information on them, including their accounts. According to WebCheck, their accounts are made up to 31/8/07 and they are exempt from audit as a small company. That means that they met two of the following criteria:
* annual turnover of £5.6 million or less
* balance sheet total of £2.8 million or less
* fewer than 50 employees.
If you want to pay £1 you can get their most recent accounts and a statement of the names of members of the company. http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/info
Unfortunately the TPA's 2007 accounts are "abbreviated" which means they tell us very little - income and expenditure were withheld. Rather odd for an organisation so committed to transparency.
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