By David Campbell Bannerman with contribution by Derek Bennett
Simon Richards was a person you'd welcome seeing at events and make a beeline over to talk to. Always cheery, polite, humorous, principled, freedom loving, gregarious and well-informed, his untimely loss is a great one for us all to bear.
Simon was a determined but gentlemanly Brexiteer, a passionate but courteous Thatcherite, an independent and freedom loving Patriot, a curious and enthusiastic traveller, with the demeanour, eccentricity and dress of a country squire. As his former colleague, Andrew Allison puts it, he was known as "the nicest man in politics" and was a mentor to many, including several student societies.
Born in Wales in the late 1950s, and brought up in the Llandaff area of Cardiff by his two GP parents, Simon spent much of his life in Cheltenham. He went to Shrewsbury School, before studying at Kings College London. At university he read history but was active in politics – joining the Federation of Conservative Students, backing freedom and free enterprise, admiring Sir Keith Joseph, and pushing for Kings to disaffiliate from the Leftish National Union of Students (NUS).
Simon came to live in Cheltenham in the early 1980s. He first worked as a Retail Executive for BHS. He eventually opened his own shop retailing exclusive lighting – delightfully called 'The Light Brigade'. He did some work for the local Museum and Art Gallery, having an interest in the arts, running its shop.
But his real love was for the Freedom Association. He began writing articles for TFA's Freedom Today magazine, adding in strong principles with humour, and eventually becoming Editor. He went on to become a TFA Director and then CEO from 2008 through to his retirement in July 2020. He was a man who always carried the torch of freedom high.
The Freedom Association, founded in December 1975 by Lord De L'Isle, Major John Gouriet, and Norris McWhirter, brother to twin Ross who was murdered by the IRA for directly funding information on their activities. In many ways the Association, originally the National Association for Freedom, was a pre-Thatcherite force, which stood – and still stands – for much of what Lady Thatcher held dear in the cause of freedom and founded in the depths of a dreadful Government.
The threats to our freedoms are familiar after 50 plus years - the TFA campaigned against the EEC and overbearing trade union power from the start - and as Thatcher rightly asserted "the battle for freedom never ends": ensuring our freedoms are not a permanent state but are like a building, require constant protection, upkeep, and maintenance. Simon joined the TFA as a schoolboy in 1976.
The TFA was noted for example of mounting a guerilla operation to help the Grunswick Film Processing Laboratories in Willesden, London, which secondary pickets and hard left and some violent activists wished to drive out of business 1976-78 as they refused to recognise the union. The TFA helped to undermine the strike by sending developed pictures by post - providing envelopes, postage and deliverers.
For the Freedom Association, his record of achievements working with a number of former Chairmen including Christopher Gill MP and Roger Helmer MEP, and sweet talked me into taking over as Chairman a few years back in his charming way. I think his biggest legacy – and a huge testament to his values and strength of conviction – was the TFA's 'Better Off Out Campaign' (BOO) which stated as its aim: 'The formation of a National Campaigning Network for the Out Campaign'. After all, how can you ensure freedom in your country if you are not actually running your own country?
Simon's natural diplomacy was vital to the Freedom Association acting as bridge between parties united in supporting EU withdrawal, including UKIP, the Brexit Party and now Reform, with Conservative Eurosceptics. On the Brexit Referendum, UKIP provided the external pressure, Conservative Eurosceptics the internal means. This was in defiance of David Cameron who tried to shut the issue down by saying we shouldn't "bang on about Europe".
Funded by a sizeable £300,000 legacy to the Freedom Association, the 'Better Off Out' campaign was established in 2006 to bang on about Europe with Philip Davies MP, Christopher Gill MP and his former employee Mark Wallace. Simon was BOO Chairman, later succeeded by David Nuttall MP on his election in 2010, with Rory Broomfield was Deputy Director and Rupert Matthews (latterly MEP and PCC for Leicestershire) involved too.
I was one of the few MEPs alongside long term advocate (Lord) Dan Hannan and Nigel Farage to back the pledge. It is reported John Maples, Conservative Party Chairman with responsibility for selecting candidates, warning they'd take "a dim view" of any candidate who signed the BOO pledge. Douglas Carswell was a rare MP signature. Lord Tebbit, wise and far thinking grandee, helpfully endorsed the campaign, as did Labour's great MP Austin Mitchell.
BOO aimed to clear the ground for a fuller campaign organisation, running roadshows and stalls, putting out over 300,000 leaflets, and founding the Brexit magazine. How appropriate to see a jubilant Simon holding up our fine Union Flag with Rory after the Brexit Referendum vote win was announced! Simon spoke at numerous venues during that campaign and was an enthusiastic fundraiser. He was very much part of that extraordinary result.
Within our ranks – still serving on our Council – is former MP David Nuttall. It was thanks to David that the vital amendment calling for a Referendum on EU membership was tabled – which 81? Conservative MPs supported in defiance of a Three Line Whip and 93? Overall. It was this vote that forced David Cameron to concede an In/Out Referendum, along with considerable pressure from a rising UKIP led by another Freedom Association supporter: Nigel Farage.
By way of illustration, BOO funded the reprinting of my pamphlet for handing out: 'The Ultimate Plan B: A Positive Vision of an Independent Britain outside of the EU' in 2011. This suited BOO aims of setting out positive reasons for withdrawal and not being anti-European – Simon himself adored touring Europe. Simon also underlaid the TFA's cross-party credentials by helping the Labour Leave Campaign during the Referendum with ads in local papers and leaflets – and Lord Stoddart of Swindon was always a huge supporter and a superb speaker for us.
Another major initiative was the 'Freedom Zone' which the TFA put together at Conservative Conferences and was – free! This was a statement that the TFA would continue to represent centre right principles even if it had to so outside the conference proper, and alternated between Manchester and Birmingham. It became the 'proper' conference where full and meaningful debate could continue whilst the actual conference descended into a Sales/PR presentation alone with its expensive lobbyist passes. Simon's collegiate approach set the ground for working with fellow freedom lovers such as the Bruges Group, the Institute of Economic Affairs, the Taxpayers' Alliance, Big Brother Watch and more recently the Free Speech Union.
The wonderful 'Freedom Festivals', such as the one in Bournemouth which I attended, were highly enjoyable and brought together like-minded sound people and groups; with much cross-party bonding in the early hours! Simon has also worked closely with Donal Blaney on the superb Freedom Festivals in March through the Margaret Thatcher Centre held at the wonderful surrounds of the University of Buckingham.
Other campaigns focused on freedom issues such as scrapping the BBC Licence Fee – 'Axe the TV Tax', that against ID cards and opposing the Smoking Ban with a 'Freedom to Vape' campaign, work that continues now. The TFA's '10 Principles of a Free Society' can be found at www.tfa.net.
Simon was a hardworking campaigner, quietly turning up to help key individuals – we campaigned side by side for Jacob Rees Mogg in 2024. Whilst a great admirer of Nigel Farage and calling for him to receive a Knighthood, Simon was quietly more in the Conservative Party fold generally. Yet he never aspired to stand as a candidate himself.
After stepping down as CEO, Simon moved from Cheltenham to Newark, to be closer to Grantham. He had plans for further memorials to the great Lady Thatcher; and we talked of him doing guided tours of important Thatcher sites in Grantham, including the famous Thatcher Grocers shop her father ran and in which she learnt the value of good housekeeping and discipline. To Simon, she was a "magnificent prime minister" who "made people feel proud to be British again."
Indeed, our last communication was sending him a photo of the wonderful Britain-loving Japanese Ambassador Mr Hirachi Suzuki visiting this very shop on 12th February and praising her as the Iron Lady (Simon retorted he is a great ambassador - unlike Mandy!). He would have been the perfect guide – informed, courteous, loving of his subject, passionate and humorous in delivery. We have been robbed of that.
Simon was a private man and never married, but certainly appreciated female company. He is succeeded by two brothers and a sister. Details of the funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.
