Centre for a Better Britain: a new hub for centre-right ideas
A new think tank named the Centre for a Better Britain (CFABB) will officially launch in September, aiming to influence policy and talent recruitment on the centre-right. Behind this initiative stands Jonathan Brown, former Chief Operating Officer of Reform UK, in partnership with a team including Christopher Howarth, a former adviser to senior Conservative figures. Though CFABB shares an address with Reform UK in Millbank Tower, its founders insist it will operate independently, producing research on topics like energy and net zero while nurturing the next generation of government advisers.
Christopher Howarth: from Priti Patel’s aide to policy architect
Christopher Howarth brings nearly two decades of experience in Conservative policy circles. He served as a special adviser to Home Secretary Priti Patel, handling strategy at the heart of government. Before that, he worked with the European Research Group (ERG), the bloc of MPs who steered the party toward a hard Brexit. Howarth’s move to CFABB marks a shift from government advising to think-tank research, where he will focus on crafting bold policy ideas for a future administration, regardless of party colour.
CFABB’s first policy priorities
The think tank’s debut paper will address the pressing challenge of stabilising the UK’s energy markets and meeting net-zero goals. With energy security and climate targets at the top of the political agenda, CFABB plans to propose market-based reforms and regulatory frameworks that balance affordability, security of supply, and environmental commitments. A presence at Reform UK’s conference in Birmingham next month will give the policy recommendations early exposure to an audience of MPs, peers, and industry figures.
Links and distance from Reform UK
CFABB’s co-location with Reform UK in Millbank Tower has raised questions about formal ties. PoliticsHome reported that CFABB founders, under the project name Resolute 1850, met with Reform leader Nigel Farage and deputy leader Richard Tice during the think tank’s planning stages. Reform UK insists it will continue developing policy in-house and has no legal affiliation with CFABB. However, the overlapping personnel and launch timing suggest a shared ideological outlook, focusing on limited government, immigration controls, and economic liberty.
Jonathan Brown: diplomat turned think-tank director
Leading CFABB is Jonathan Brown, whose decade-long Foreign Office career spanned postings in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Egypt. Brown’s diplomatic background shapes CFABB’s global outlook; he emphasises the UK’s strategic interests, energy diversification, and alliances in a post-Brexit world. In a recent interview, he defended the civil service against “classic right-wing” criticism, praising its deep expertise while acknowledging pockets in need of reform. Brown argues that unleashing talent within Whitehall requires fresh ideas rather than wholesale staff cuts.
Building a pipeline of centre-right talent
Beyond research papers, CFABB will run recruitment programs to identify and train individuals for advisory roles in government ministries and regulatory bodies. The think tank aims to replicate models such as the US’s Heritage Foundation internship scheme, offering fellowships, masterclasses, and policy workshops. By placing graduates and mid-career professionals in ministerial offices and select public sector departments, CFABB seeks to ensure that its policy proposals have advocates ready to implement them once a friendly government is in power.
Advancing innovative policy solutions
Howarth underscores the need for “creative policies to reform the British state and economy”—from welfare-to-work incentives to digital regulation frameworks. Drawing on his ERG experience, he intends to challenge incremental approaches and champion radical reforms, such as energy market liberalisation and tax simplification. CFABB’s independence will allow contributors from academia, business, and civil society to collaborate on white papers, case studies, and roundtable events.
Balancing ideology and pragmatism
CFABB’s leadership acknowledges the lesson of recent governments: ambitious ideology must be tempered by pragmatic delivery. Brown emphasises that “many great ideas languish in theory if they lack civil service buy-in.” By engaging Whitehall professionals early, CFABB hopes to produce actionable policy blueprints capable of navigating institutional constraints. Similarly, Howarth stresses cross-party dialogue, suggesting that CFABB will host forums inviting Labour figures, devolved administrations, and industry stakeholders.
A pivotal moment for centre-right discourse
As the UK prepares for a likely general election in 2029, CFABB positions itself to shape policy platforms and leadership debates. With senior advisers like Howarth and a diplomatic director like Brown, the think tank combines political savvy and global perspective. Its initial focus on energy and net zero reflects urgent national priorities, while its talent pipeline could seed the next generation of ministers and special advisers. CFABB’s launch adds a new voice to the centre-right ecosystem, promising dynamic contributions to the UK’s policy landscape.