New Chair, new brand, new message. Now we need a new government.

Dear John,

As the incoming Chair of Best for Britain, I am delighted to be taking the reins as the organisation rolls out the most significant change to its brand and messaging since its creation.

The eagle-eyed of you will have already spotted many of these, especially if you follow us on social media, or take actions on our website. But if you want to read more about our new slogan, strapline and other messaging - do read Cal’s blog all about it.

As one of our most valued supporters I’m sure that you’re already aware of the work that the UK Trade & Business Commission has undertaken, as well as last year’s Trade Unlocked event, on top of the voter-facing, and MP-facing action/campaigning that Best for Britain takes day-to-day. 

But I want to also draw your attention to our 2023 Annual Report which has just been published. As a long-standing member of the Board, and now Chair, I am most proud of Naomi Smith and her team’s achievements in immensely difficult political circumstances.

Of course we would all rather that the UK had never left the European Union. Which is why we have 114 recommendations; practical fixes to halt the damage being done, and prevent the needless divergence that makes any future realignment more difficult. These can be implemented by any government of any shade, right away.

Yes, some of our recommendations require Brussels to cooperate. Applications to join the EU take, on average, nine years to complete - and in our case, perhaps even longer. Which is more patience than most of us can muster. And which is why we are campaigning for solutions that can be implemented now.

The UK doesn't have nine years to wait; too many of our businesses are confronting  real difficulties, which in some cases may prove to be insurmountable, and our young citizens can't miss any more opportunities that are being enjoyed by their contemporaries in the rest of Europe. 

I hope that our supporters like you will appreciate that Best for Britain is honest about what can and can’t be achieved this year. We refuse to take donations from people, especially in a cost of living crisis, without a coherent plan that has a chance of success, unlike those promising a Rejoin Campaign before having done the work to ensure that we would be allowed back in!

So although our new slogan is Change Minds → Change Politics…

…right now, today, our plan is to Change the Government → Change the Deal.

Those who believe the next general election is a fait accompli forget that in some seats 36% of people are undecided on who they want to be Prime Minister. And thanks to Best for Britain’s polling experience at asking the right questions, we know that millions of voters, many in hyper-marginal seats, still do not know that they need to bring photo ID to have their vote counted. And if you saw our front page story in The Sunday Times this weekend, you’ll have seen that if Reform UK do a deal with the Tories, their seat projection increases by more than 50%. We are taking nothing for granted.

And even if we get the result we want; a new government, we know that it’s only the beginning of a new relationship with Europe. There are so many crises looming. We must not allow the easiest way to put Britain’s economy on the mend - a successful review of the deal that gets back some of what we lost in 2016 - to slip down the list of any new government’s priorities.

So that’s Best for Britain’s plan. And I’m so pleased to have you as a fellow hiker on this trip to climb the biggest mountain our country has ever faced. The reward - a happy and prosperous United Kingdom returning to economic growth -  is worth the blisters.

Peter

Peter Norris
Chair, Best for Britain & Virgin Group