Sean Gabb
Following months of investigation by the authorities, and of correspondence, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs have agreed to regard the Libertarian Alliance as a charity for tax purposes. This new status has been backdated to the 26th August 2014.
In the next month, we will change all the relevant information on our Blog and on our other website to take account of this change in status. This will include information about how to make tax-deductible donations. For the moment, please take the following as an authoritative statement by the Libertarian Alliance:
1. The Libertarian Alliance is a charitable organisation that exists to advance the objects set forth in our Mission Statement;
2. We do not support any political party, and such support as our Officers may give to any political party is given purely in their personal capacity;
3. While we believe in the rights to life, liberty and property, we do not necessarily endorse any of the essays and comments published on our Blog or website, regardless of whether they are by Officers of the Libertarian Alliance – these are to be seen as contributions to a discussion that we host;
4. While, as part of our commitment to freedom of speech, we support the right to advocate unlawful actions, we do not ourselves advocate any unlawful action;
5. We will solicit and accept donations from individuals and private organisations, but will not solicit or accept donations from any organisation funded by the taxpayers;
6. We will comply with all legal requirements to maintain our charitable status, though should these requirements be changed in a manner that fundamentally conflicts with the objects set forth in our Mission Statement, we will relinquish that charitable status.
Until further authoritative statements have been drafted and published, the above, plus our Mission Statement, is to be regarded as part of the basic constitution of the Libertarian Alliance, and it impliedly withdraws any other statement, of whatever nature, made during the past 36 years that may conflict with it.
Sean Gabb
Director, the Libertarian Alliance
28th February 2015
I think this change of status is justified.
After all there is no intention to financially profit from the “Libertarian Alliance”.
As for party politics – all political parties have, at one time or another, been attacked here.
Won’t this be restrictive in terms of what you can do, and put you under the tender care of the Charities Commission and so on?
We are under the same restraints as Christian Aid and Mums of Little Kids Mown Down by Drunken Drivers Who Want All Cars and Drink to be Banned. I think this answers your question.
Actually, we were already under the restraints that Sean mentions anyway.
Pretty much, Ian, we’ll carry on saying what we say, and doing what we do. I don’t think there’ll be a dawn raid on the LA because we are now a charity, regarding what we say. Perhaps this’ll be even less probable than before.
In reality, what it means is that if you, Ian (let is say – but perhaps we ought to pay -you – for you are such good value) decide to send us some money, it’s more “tax-efficient” for both you and for us. Until the BritishNazis decide to close this avenue, as an example of “tax avoidance” – which currently I believe is legal.
It also doesn’t affect the “Officers”, for the LA has “no money” in any case, so there’s nothing in the Larder To Take Out – not like the British State’s Big-Charities, that it loves, and heaves train-loads of dosh at so they can lobby it to do things that it wants to do but everyone would hate if they were done. (And so their “officers” can be paid hundreds and hundreds of thousands of pounds a year (each.) And have Tuscany Houses and “private jets”, and so forth. And entertain “bankers” – whatever those used to be….)
Which isn’t saying a lot except for Sean and Keir and Daniel H and you and Paul M and “Mr Ex” and “Mustela nivalis” and “Concerned Briton” and all those other commenters who do stuff, who are too numerouse now to mention. Oh and the other writers, who are now increasingly too numerous for the Chimpanzee Type-Writers to remember by rote, off the cuff, as it were. Keep writing on, Ian! Perhaps one day you’ll even write for the LA.
You are a grand and noble writer, English is weaponized in your hands, you distinguish truth from falsehood, and you deserve a durable platform to write on. We’re still here after nearly 40 years. It astounds even us, you know.
I had this cunning plan to have an awesome business idea, become fabulously wealthy, and donate large sums to the LA. But I’ve been having a bit of trouble with the first part. 🙁
The story of my life.
Well, Sean has promised “We will comply with all legal requirements to maintain our charitable status, though should these requirements be changed in a manner that fundamentally conflicts with the objects set forth in our Mission Statement, we will relinquish that charitable status”.
Are the LA likely to run into trouble with the Charities Commission (CC)? They certainly should not do bearing in mind what other charities get away with, especially those which are serving Muslims and Islam. However, things are never equal in a Britain in thrall to political correctness so I would not bet against the CC poking their nose in if something non-pc attracts their notice. However, the worse that could happen there is the LA ceases to be a charity and reverts to its previous status.
Very apt comment, Robert.
So does this mean that you will stop running as a limited company and start this new chapter as a charity?
All in good time
Sean the LA is An Educational Charity Promoting Life, Liberty and Property. What about the Pursuit of Happiness?