Best for Britain

Prior to the finalisation of Brexit, Best for Britain's goal was a democratic way to stop Brexit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestforbritain.org/about_us|title=We are fighting to keep the UK open to EU membership.|website=Best for Britain|access-date=17 May 2019}} Since 2021, Best for Britain aims to keep the UK open to EU membership in the future, but in the short term aims at re-engagement with Europe, internationalist policies, and cooperation with business. As part of the organisation's relaunch in April 2021, chief executive Naomi Smith wrote in The Times that the organisation had shifted from a “reactive campaign in response to an emergent threat to Britain’s place in the world” to a “proactive organisation that will stand up against a decline in internationalist values happening again”.

Since 2021, Best for Britain says that it aims to fix the problems Britain faces after Brexit through a combination of evidence gathering, policy creation, public engagement and political campaigning.{{Cite web |title=Ask Listen Think Do |url=https://www.bestforbritain.org/ask_listen_think_do |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Best for Britain}} They aim to secure better outcomes for the UK by seeking improvements to the UK-EU relationship, advocating evidence-based policy recommendations to decision makers.{{Cite web |title=UK should boost alignment of rules with EU, says business commission |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bb322035-5a28-45f4-8d29-ab969e4fd975 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=www.ft.com}}

Best for Britain campaigns to strengthen democratic rights and government accountability within the UK, and opposes restrictions to public right to protest{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Patrick |date=2022-01-17 |title=Lords urged to back changes to ‘anti-protest bill’ |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/courts-dominic-grieve-deborah-meaden-police-businesses-b977015.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Evening Standard }} and new barriers to voting.{{Cite web |last=Mortimer |first=Josiah |date=2023-02-10 |title=Voter ID: Bouncers at the Ballot Box Could Turn Away Thousands in May Elections with No Right of Appeal |url=https://bylinetimes.com/2023/02/10/voter-id-bouncers-at-the-ballot-box-could-turn-away-thousands-in-may-elections-with-no-right-of-appeal/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Byline Times }} They campaign for reform of the UK’s first-past-the-post electoral system{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=Dan |date=2022-09-26 |title=Labour members vote to change UK election system to proportional representation |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-labour-members-vote-change-28087083 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=The Mirror }}{{better source|date=May 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Mortimer |first=Josiah |date=2023-02-01 |title=Keir Starmer Faces Fresh Calls to Back Westminster Voting Overhaul |url=https://bylinetimes.com/2023/02/01/keir-starmer-faces-fresh-calls-to-back-westminster-voting-overhaul/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Byline Times }}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-10 |title=Are we heading for 1997 again? This time the legacy of a Labour win can be lasting |url=https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/are-we-heading-for-1997-again-this-time-the-legacy-of-a-labour-win-can-be-lasting |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Politics Home }} and advocate tactical voting until this has been achieved.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Naomi |date=2024-01-20 |title=The Greens have reason to hate it, but tactical voting is more important than ever |url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/the-greens-have-reason-to-hate-it-but-tactical-voting-is-more-important-than-ever/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=The New European }} Best for Britain also acts as a watchdog on reported governmental waste, corruption and scandal.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Mikey |date=2023-11-18 |title=Fury as Tories wasted £100bn of taxpayers' cash in 4 years since 2019 election |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/fury-tories-waste-100bn-taxpayers-31473385 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=The Mirror }}{{better source|date=May 2024}}

Best for Britain is currently chaired by Peter Norris who is also the Chairman of Virgin Group. It had previously been chaired by former British diplomats Lord Malloch-Brown{{cite news |first=Patrick |last=Wintour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/17/senior-ex-diplomat-to-advise-pro-eu-campaigns-before-brexit-deal-vote|title=Former diplomat to lead remainers' bid to shift public opinion on Brexit|website=Reuters |date=17 December 2017 |access-date=8 February 2018 }} (2017-2021) and Lord Sir Kim Darroch (2021-2023).{{cite news |first=Annabelle |last=Dickson |url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/new-york-state-of-mind-what-scotland-thinks-spad-reshuffle|title=London Playbook: New York State of mind — What Scotland thinks — SpAd reshuffle |date=20 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021 }} Its CEO is Naomi Smith{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestforbritain.org/our_team|title=Our Team|website=Best for Britain|access-date=22 October 2019}} who in 2024 was named among the 100 most influential women in Westminster by House Magazine.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-10 |title=Women in Westminster |url=https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/partner-content/wiw.htm |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Politics Home }}

Following the 2019 European elections Best for Britain launched a campaign and petition that called for the leaders of political parties that supported remaining in the EU to work together to achieve that goal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestforbritain.org/worktogether|title=Tell the Remain parties to work together|website=Best for Britain|access-date=31 May 2019}}

On 8 May 2019, Best for Britain launched a national campaign urging the 7.9 million unregistered eligible voters to sign up before the European elections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/eu-elections-campaigners-warn-8m-14975954|title=Campaigners warn 8m not registered to vote days before EU elections deadline|last=Smith|first=Mikey|date=30 April 2019|website=mirror|access-date=17 May 2019}}{{better source|date=May 2024}} Best for Britain CEO, Naomi Smith called the figures “staggering” and said: “These people have a big part to play in the future direction of our country, and we will do everything in our power to ensure their voice is heard on polling day with everyone else's.” {{Cite web|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/best-for-britain-election-registration-campaign-1-6024826|title=Almost eight million people could miss their chance to vote in EU elections|last=Jankowicz|first=Mia|website=The New European|access-date=17 May 2019}} Best for Britain also created a tool to help voters register and/or obtain a postal vote.{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/almost-8-million-not-registered-to-vote-in-eu-elections-campaigners-warn/|title=Almost 8 million people not yet registered to vote in EU elections, warn campaigners|last=Guyoncourt|first=Sally|date=1 May 2019|website=inews.co.uk|access-date=17 May 2019}}

In the first part of 2019, Best for Britain provided support for a nationwide ‘Letters to the Editors’ campaign. This drew upon industry professionals from different sectors, such as midwives {{Cite web|url=http://www.yourthurrock.com/2019/05/08/midwives-express-concern-brexit-threat-maternity-services/|title=Midwives express concern over Brexit threat to maternity services|date=8 May 2019|website=Your Thurrock|access-date=17 May 2019}} and doctors,{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/doctors-sounding-the-alarm-over-brexit-b3w9pfs8p|title=Doctors sounding the alarm over Brexit|last=Andrews|first=Kieran|date=28 February 2019|work=The Times|access-date=17 May 2019|issn=0140-0460}} who signed open letters for local and national publications. These highlighted their concerns about what they saw as the damage being done by Brexit to their fields in particular to the NHS.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/103919/documents-reveal-nhs-fears-over-post-brexit-staff-exodus|title=Documents reveal NHS fears over post-Brexit staff exodus and drug shortages|date=16 May 2019|website=PoliticsHome.com|access-date=17 May 2019}}

Best for Britain has partnered with the People's Vote campaign on marches and rallies. On 23 June 2018 Best for Britain supported and participated in the People's Vote march in London to mark the second anniversary of the referendum to leave the European Union.{{cite web|url=https://www.bestforbritain.org/peoples_vote_march|title=Best for Britain at the March for a People's Vote|date=23 June 2018|website=bestforbritain.org|publisher=Best for Britain|access-date=25 June 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/live-thousands-marching-for-vote-on-final-brexit-deal-11414177|title='At least 100,000' march for vote on final Brexit deal|date=23 June 2018|work=Sky News|access-date=25 June 2018}} and also supported and participated in the marches in October 2018 {{Cite web|url=https://www.bestforbritain.org/peoples_vote_march_october|title=People's Vote March|website=Best for Britain|access-date=17 May 2019}} and in March and October 2019. The two organisations also held join rallies for supporters in Westminster Central Hall on 23 November 2018 {{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/nov/13/public-has-been-duped-jo-johnson-tells-gary-lineker-at-rally-for-new-brexit-vote|title=Public has been duped, Jo Johnson tells Gary Lineker at rally for new Brexit vote|first=Peter|last=Walker|date=13 November 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=17 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}} and the Excel Centre on 9 December 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indy100.com/article/brexit-lord-michael-heseltine-speech-tory-britain-youth-eu-deal-theresa-may-8674631|title=Tory Lord has a harsh warning for Theresa May over Brexit - and people overwhelmingly agree|date=9 December 2018|website=indy100|access-date=17 May 2019}}

In June 2018, Best for Britain launched its manifesto "Bringing Britain Back Together" {{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44413526|title=Campaign for new EU referendum launched|date=8 June 2018|access-date=17 May 2019}} to improve public understanding of the process to another referendum, emphasising the "it's still possible to stay" message and drawing attention to what it says was the government's delay and confusion over Brexit. It included an open letter to the country{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestforbritain.org/open_letter|title=An Open Letter to the country - our proposal|website=Best for Britain|access-date=17 May 2019}} and a road map to stopping Brexit,{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jun/01/roadmap-to-avoid-brexit-to-be-sent-to-mps-and-peers|title=Roadmap to avoid Brexit to be sent to MPs and peers|last=Sabbagh|first=Dan|date=1 June 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=17 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}} calling for both sides of the Brexit debate to embrace the idea of another vote to settle the question of the UK's membership of the EU and to avoid the risk that "the entire establishment sleepwalks the country over the Brexit finish line in March 2019".{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jun/08/best-for-britain-recruits-mps-to-back-second-brexit-referendum|title=Best for Britain recruits MPs to back second Brexit referendum|last=Sabbagh|first=Dan|date=8 June 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=17 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}}

Best for Britain coupled this manifesto launch with the stated intention to campaign in around 70 key marginal seats, trying to persuade both Labour and Conservative MPs to support a second referendum.

Between March and June 2018, Best for Britain ran an advertising campaign across the UK. It featured citizens asking: "When will we know what we voted for?" The campaign slogan, displayed on billboards and in newspaper ads in Birmingham, Carlisle, Manchester, Liverpool, London and Stoke was: "We all deserve a final say on the Brexit deal."{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44331013|title=Who are anti-Brexit group Best for Britain?|date=5 June 2018|access-date=17 May 2019}} Best for Britain was reported to have spent £500,000 on this campaign.

On 19 April 2017 it launched a crowdfunding appeal in an immediate response to Theresa May's announcement of a snap election to be held on 8 June 2017.{{cite news |last=Denham |first=Katherine |url=https://www.ftadviser.com/regulation/2017/04/19/gina-miller-launches-snap-election-campaign/ |title=Gina Miller launches snap election campaign |work=Financial Times |date=19 April 2017 |access-date=8 May 2017 }} In April and May, Best for Britain ran what it hoped would be the UK's largest ever tactical voting campaign.{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Dan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/apr/19/gina-miller-best-for-britain-tactical-voting-against-hard-brexit |title=Gina Miller to launch tactical voting initiative against hard Brexit |work=The Guardian |date=19 April 2017 |access-date=8 May 2017 }}

The crowdfunding campaign received donations from more than 10,000 people and raised over £350,000.{{cite web |url=https://www.gofundme.com/whats-best-for-britain |title=Best for Britain GoFundMe |access-date=8 May 2017 }} The tactical vote campaign was launched at a press conference on 26 April by co-founder Gina Miller and then CEO Eloise Todd.{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Michael |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-election-tacticalvoting-idUKKBN17S1GR |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426121903/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-election-tacticalvoting-idUKKBN17S1GR |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 April 2017 |title=Brexit challenger begins tactical vote campaign, cautions markets over optimism |work=Reuters |date=26 April 2017 |access-date=8 May 2017 }} Miller said: "We need to prevent MPs and the people being forced into an extreme Brexit that is not in Britain's best interests. ... We will support candidates who campaign for a real final vote on Brexit, including rejecting any deal that leaves Britain worse off."{{cite news |last=Sommers |first=Jack |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/gina-miller-brexit-go-fund-me_uk_58f7487fe4b029063d355547 |title=Gina Miller launches crowd funding campaign to tour Britain opposing 'Extreme Brexit' |work=HuffPost |date=19 April 2017 |access-date=8 May 2017 }} Miller was the chief spokesperson for this campaign.

Miller left Best for Britain after the 2017 election,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/02/08/exclusive-gina-miller-says-soros-backed-campaign-overturn-brexit/|title=Exclusive: Gina Miller says Soros-backed campaign to overturn Brexit is 'undemocratic'|last=Swinford|first=Steven|date=8 February 2019|work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/gina-miller-says-she-quit-a-pro-eu-group-because-it-became|title=Gina Miller Says She Quit A Pro-EU Group Because It Became About 'Bringing Down The Tories'|last1=White|first1=Alan|last2=Ashton|first2=Emily|date=8 February 2018|website=buzzfeed.com|publisher=BuzzFeed News}} expressing concern that the group had become more anti-Tory than Brexit-focused and described it as "a room full of white males deciding what's going to happen to the country" and as "undemocratic".

In 2019, the campaign launched a tactical voting tool for the 2019 general election. The tool attracted immediate controversy after claims that its source data lacked transparency, and recommended that voters vote for the Liberal Democrats in seats that that party had never won and where it had polled well behind the main opposition Labour Party in the previous election.{{cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/30/tactical-voting-could-deliver-remain-victory-in-election-study |title=Tactical voting website criticised for 'bogus' advice |work=The Guardian |date=30 October 2019 |access-date=3 November 2019 }} However, the recommendations were updated in line with new polling and by late November 83 constituency recommendations had been changed to support Labour candidates instead.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-29|title=Tactical voting sites have spread confusion and animosity. In fact, we don't need them {{!}} Dan Davies|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/29/tactical-voting-sites-confusion-animosity|access-date=2021-05-13|website=The Guardian}}

In November 2020, Best for Britain took on the secretariat role of the APPG Gaps in Support, calling for the UK government to ensure nobody was left out from the Covid-19 support packages available for workers and businesses.{{Cite web|title=House of Commons - Register Of All-Party Parliamentary Groups as at 21 April 2021: Gaps in Support|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/210421/gaps-in-support.htm|access-date=2021-05-13|website=publications.parliament.uk}}

A letter was sent to Chancellor Rishi Sunak in February 2021 by a group of 60 MPs calling on the government to consider support proposals drawn up by tax expert Rebecca Seely Harris. Harris was formerly policy adviser at the Office of Tax Simplification, an independent body of HM Treasury.{{Cite web|title=MPs demand UK Covid support for 3m excluded self-employed|url=https://www.ft.com/content/b2787519-2d0d-4285-bcbd-100a0bbc8b00%20%20https://www.contractoruk.com/news/0014921defiant_rishi_sunak_stands_firm_leaving_limited_company_directors_stranded.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-13|website=www.ft.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513214215/https://www.ft.com/content/b2787519-2d0d-4285-bcbd-100a0bbc8b00%20%20https://www.contractoruk.com/news/0014921defiant_rishi_sunak_stands_firm_leaving_limited_company_directors_stranded.html |archive-date=13 May 2021 }}{{Cite web|last=Moore|first=Simon|title=Defiant Rishi Sunak stands firm on leaving limited company directors stranded|url=https://www.contractoruk.com/news/0014921defiant_rishi_sunak_stands_firm_leaving_limited_company_directors_stranded.html|access-date=2021-05-13|website=www.contractoruk.com}}

In April 2021, Best for Britain launched the UK Trade and Business Commission to scrutinise the UK’s trade deals with Europe and the rest of the world. The commission is co-chaired by Peter Norris of the Virgin Group and Hilary Benn.{{Cite news|last=Ashworth|first=Louis|date=2021-04-12|title=Business leaders and MPs join forces to examine Brexit trade deals|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/04/12/business-leaders-mps-join-forces-examine-brexit-trade-deals/|access-date=2021-05-13|issn=0307-1235}} When asked if this would be a replacement for the select committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union previously led by Hilary Benn he said that it would have an “intensely practical focus” on the problems being faced by business.{{Cite news|last=Burden|first=Lizzy|title=Brexit Will Ruin More U.K. Small Businesses, Economist Warns|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-15/brexit-will-ruin-more-u-k-small-businesses-economists-warns|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-13|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415132146/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-15/brexit-will-ruin-more-u-k-small-businesses-economists-warns |archive-date=15 April 2021 }}

In February 2018, it was reported in The Daily Telegraph, and confirmed by Best for Britain, that George Soros, through his foundations, had contributed £400,000 to the campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-soros/george-soros-donated-money-to-campaign-for-a-rerun-of-britains-eu-referendum-idUSKBN1FR3AB|title=Soros donation to halt Brexit causes storm in Britain|last=Faulconbridge|first=Guy|date=7 February 2018|access-date=8 February 2018|website=Reuters}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42984594|title=Pro-EU campaign secures £400,000 from George Soros|work=BBC News|date=8 February 2018|access-date=9 February 2018}} The Telegraph{{'}}s report was described as an "antisemitic dogwhistle"{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/08/brexit-antisemitic-dog-whistle-daily-telegraph-george-soros|title=A secret plot to stop Brexit, or an antisemitic dog whistle? {{!}} Rafael Behr|last=Behr|first=Rafael|date=8 February 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=17 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}} and also criticised for calling Best for Britain's public aim to stop Brexit a "secret plot". In response, Best for Britain launched a crowdfunder,{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/08/best-for-britain-thwart-brexit-george-soros|title=What is Best for Britain – and is there a 'secret plot' to thwart Brexit?|last=Elgot|first=Jessica|date=8 February 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=17 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}} which raised over £200,000 and led to Soros donating a further £100,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/pro-eu-campaign-aims-to-smash-brexit-echo-chamber-best-for-britain-chuka-umunna/|title=The master plan to stop Brexit|last=Cooper|first=Charlie|date=29 March 2018|website=POLITICO|access-date=17 May 2019}}

Best for Britain says it raises much of its funding through smaller individual donations and crowdfunding exercises.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://bestforbritain.org/ Best for Britain]

{{People's Vote}}

Category:Brexit-related advocacy groups in the United Kingdom

Category:George Soros

Category:Organisations based in the City of London

Category:Political campaigns in the United Kingdom

Category:2017 establishments in the United Kingdom

Category:2017 in British politics

Category:2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum