**The first US national convention of the Tea Party movement has begun, with former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin due to appear as a speaker.**The movement brings together people who oppose President Barack Obama’s healthcare plan, stimulus package and other issues.
Some activists have complained about the $500 (£317) registration fee for the Nashville conference.
Barely a year old, the movement gained influence during the healthcare debate.
TEA PARTY
- The movement takes its name from the 1773 protest against British taxation, the Boston Tea Party
- American colonists rebelled against attempts by Britain to impose parliamentary taxes on them without allowing the colonists representation in the British parliament
- The modern-day Tea Party is described as a grassroots movement that supports limited government and opposes high government spending
- The informal movement is unified against President Barack Obama’s healthcare proposals, his economic stimulus package and other aspects of his agenda
Members, gathered from state-level Tea Parties, complain that big spending to stimulate the economy is being wasted in Washington and on Wall Street while small-town America has to tighten its belt.
And the coalition of disaffected conservatives is undoubtedly growing in influence - its endorsement of Republican Scott Brown helped his election last month as Massachusetts senator, says the BBC’s Madeleine Morris from Washington.
But there has been controversy over the conference’s use of paid lobbyists and PR companies and former Alaskan governor Mrs Palin’s reported $100,000 fee.
In an opinion piece published on USA Today website, she said: "I will not benefit financially from speaking at this event. My only goal is to support the grassroots activists who are fighting for responsible, limited government - and our constitution.
“In that spirit, any compensation for my appearance will go right back to the cause.”
She said she was speaking at the conference “to keep faith” with people who had put their faith in her.
“This movement is truly a grassroots, organic effort. It’s not a top-down organisation; it’s a ground-up call to action that already has both political parties rethinking the way they do business.”