Freedom Association
Contents
Origins
The Freedom Association was founded as the National Association for Freedom on 31 July 1975 by Viscount De L'Isle and the twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter, founders of the Guinness Book of Records. [1] Other founding members include Norris McWhirter, Robert Moss, Brian Crozier and Gerald Howarth. [2] It absorbed a small pressure group the Middle Class Association. [3]
Early years
Personnel
When The Economist reported on the Freedom Association in 1976 it was directed by the right-wing journalist Robert Moss and its chairman was William Sidney , 1st Viscount De L'Isle. Its governing council included Norris McWhirter (whose brother Ross was murdered by the IRA), and seven Conservative MPs including Winston Churchill, Jill Knight and Nicholas Ridley. [4] At that time it had a full-time staff of ten at its London headquarters located "near Shaftesbury Avenue".
Activities
The Freedom Association sponsored legal actions to promote their right-wing agenda. They also published a fortnightly paper called The Free Nation. In 1976 The Economist reported that it was written 'using unpaid contributors who are often professional journalists -- of which 30,000 copies are printed at a non-union printing press "somewhere in the west of England". Half of the print order is, the NAF claims, sold at 15p a copy, mainly in the home counties and in the Manchester area, the remainder is distributed free.' [5]
Links to Margaret Thatcher
Brian Crozier revealed in his memoir that founding members of the Freedom Association met with Margaret Thatcher on 9 March 1976. The meeting took place at Viscount De L'Isle's house in London's Eaton Square, and was attended by Brian Crozier, Norris McWhirter, John Gouriet and Robert Moss. [6] Brian Crozier recalls that:
Mrs Thatcher was listening and writing because I was telling her things nobody had yet mentioned to her, about Soviet subversion in the United Kingdom and worldwide, about the penetration of our trades unions and of the Labour Party, still in power at that time. [7]
Links to Margaret Thatcher
Brian Crozier revealed in his memoir that founding members of the Freedom Association met with Margaret Thatcher on 9 March 1976. The meeting took place at Viscount De L'Isle's house in London's Eaton Square, and was attended by Brian Crozier, Norris McWhirter, John Gouriet and Robert Moss. [8] Brian Crozier recalls that:
Mrs Thatcher was listening and writing because I was telling her things nobody had yet mentioned to her, about Soviet subversion in the United Kingdom and worldwide, about the penetration of our trades unions and of the Labour Party, still in power at that time. [9]
Principals
- Caroline Cox (Lady Baroness)
- Michael Ivens
Contact
Website: www.tfa.net
Notes
- ↑ The Freedom Association, About TFA, (accessed 22 April 2009); Adam Bernstein, 'Norris McWhirter Dies; 'Guinness Book' Co-Founder, Washington Post, 21 April 2004
- ↑ Brian Crozier, 'A secret shield for the Lady', The Times, 28 June 1993
- ↑ 'National Association for Freedom; Into its stride', The Economist, 28 August 1976
- ↑ 'National Association for Freedom; Into its stride', The Economist, 28 August 1976
- ↑ 'National Association for Freedom; Into its stride', The Economist, 28 August 1976
- ↑ Brian Crozier, 'A secret shield for the Lady', The Times, 28 June 1993
- ↑ Brian Crozier, 'A secret shield for the Lady', The Times, 28 June 1993
- ↑ Brian Crozier, 'A secret shield for the Lady', The Times, 28 June 1993
- ↑ Brian Crozier, 'A secret shield for the Lady', The Times, 28 June 1993
