New Right Wing Think Tank With Links To Reform Plans Spring Launch
3 min read
A new think tank that has recently met with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is planning to launch in the next few weeks, PoliticsHome understands.
'Resolute 1850' is being led by CEO Jonathan Brown, who was chief operating officer of right-wing political party Reform before being removed from his position in October.
Reform insists it has no formal ties with the new think tank and is formulating policy in-house.
However, PoliticsHome understands that those involved in setting it up have met with both Farage and Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice in recent weeks. The think tank, which has hired around half a dozen staff ahead of its spring launch, is also expected to be based in Westminster's Millbank Tower – the same building as Reform UK's headquarters.
The think tank shares its name with a British Royal Navy ship, the HMS Resolute, which was abandoned in the mid-19th century before being returned to Queen Victoria. Parts of the ship were later used to construct the desk that located in the White House Oval Office.
The Financial Times reported last week that the think tank planned to mirror conservative think tanks in the US that openly support Republican candidates for office, such as the America Policy Institute, which backed President Donald Trump's bid to return to power.
A leaked document seen by the FT suggested that the think tank would research what policy direction Farage's party should go in, arguing that Reform would need to reconcile its economically liberal instincts with the more left-wing economic preferences of the public.
PoliticsHome understands that the think tank wants to go beyond immigration and focus on areas like macro-economics, constitutional reform and upholding free speech. An insider stressed that contrary to recent suggestions, it will not "counter house-building".
Those involved in the new think tank say that while they don't have an official relationship with Reform, they are keen to influence the party's policymaking as it seeks to professionalise.
The think tank is primarily funded by domestic donors but is looking to attract investment from across the Atlantic, according to a source familiar with the launch plans.
While the idea of a formal partnership is being strongly dismissed, early signs suggest the relationship between Reform and Resolute 1850 could be similar to Labour and the Conservatives' ties with supportive Westminster think tanks, like the Institute for Public Policy Research and Centre for Policy Studies respectively.
Reform has surged in the opinion polls since the July general election, when it won five House of Commons seats, and is confident of making major gains at the 1 May local and mayoral elections.
On the same day, the party hopes to win its first by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, where Reform candidate Sarah Pochin is challenging Labour.
Pochin, a former magistrate, told PoliticsHome she strongly opposes the death penalty and supports a rehabilitation approach to law and order. She also said that she found much-discussed Netflix show Adolescence "harrowing", adding that it "really resonated with her".
