Support EDM 2262!

We have our Early Day Motion! EDM 2262 calls on the government to withdraw the proposed change and to consult with the profession before bringing in any further proposals. It has cross party support: Mark Hoban and Mark Francois from the Conservatives, Vincent Cable and Lorely Burt from the Lib Dems, and Rudi Vis and David Taylor from Labour.

Unless you live in their constituencies (in which case you might like to write and thank them) PLEASE write to your MP during this week and ask them to sign the motion. The House of Commons is in recess for a week; we want each MP to receive dozens of separate messages during that time asking them to sign up, so that when they go back they will all be supporting the motion.

It wasn't the best day to be putting the final touches to something like this, having spent last night partying at the Taxation Awards until 2.00 am. The office is full of rather quiet people this morning, nursing large black coffees ... We should have some pictures of over 700 tax practitioners letting their hair down on the website shortly - www.taxation.co.uk . Congratulations to all the winners, better luck next time to the unsuccessful nominees.

Early Day Motion

Most of today has gone on trying to find MPs to sponsor an Early Day Motion (EDM) on the No to November campaign, and on trying to draft it. It's all a rather arcane process, as you might expect. Although technically it is a motion before the House of Commons, in practice it is unlikely to ever get heard, but the number of signatures it attracts will show ministers the strength of support.

For some unknown reason an EDM has to be one sentence, and no more than 250 words. Never has the need for colons and semi-colons been greater...! We're also trying to get all-party support, so that MPs don't feel that it is a party issue when they are asked to sign it.

We're not quite there yet, but I think we will be soon - as soon as I have more news I'll post it here. Once the EDM is tabled, you will all need to email and write to your MPs to persuade them to sign it!

Ready to blog...

A blog seemed to be the obvious way to keep you up to date on the 'No to November' campaign - so I've created one....