Institute for Free Trade
The Institute for Free Trade is a UK-based think tank, or lobby group, for free trade launched in September 2017.
It is based at the same London address as the free market think tank, Centre for Policy Studies and the now dormant anti-EU free market lobby group, Global Vision.
Its stated mission is to 'recapture the moral case for open commerce'.
It supports a hard Brexit and says it 'sees Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union as a unique opportunity to revitalise the world trading system.'[1]
Contents
Approach to Brexit
According to The Times, the Institute wants to work with ministers and businesses to dodge restrictions on negotiating deals before Britain withdraws from the EU in 2019. It also wants to change policy by calling for Britain to abandon European product standards.[2]
Political links
The Institute for Free Trade was launched on 27 September 2017 at an event hosted by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in the map room in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox also spoke at the event.[3]
It says it will 'work closely with, though independently of, the UK’s newly established Department for International Trade, ensuring that Brexit becomes a catalyst for a freer global trading order.'
It describes itself as having 'extensive networks within governments'.
People
Board
- Daniel Hannan, president. Conservative MEP and hard Brexit supporter.
- Jon Moynihan, chair. Chairman and Co-Principal of Ipex Capital and former board member of the Vote Leave campaign.
- Alan Halsall, dept chair. Former co-chair of Business for Britain.
International Advisory Panel
- Tony Abbott, ex-Prime Minister of Australia
- José María Aznar, ex-Prime Minister of Spain and director of News Corporation
- Jorge Quiroga, ex-President of Bolivia (from 7 August 2001 to 6 August 2002)
- Ben Sasse, US Senator for Nebraska; Sasse has been associated with the libertarian US billionaires Charles Koch and David Koch, repeatedly attending Koch brothers events.[4]
- Michael Howard, ex-UK Home Secretary, and former Leader of the Conservative Party.
Funding
Like most free market 'think tanks', it is not known who funds the Institute. Its website has no details of funders.
Activities
The Institute says it has three key aims:
- Educate civil society on the benefits of free trade
- Convince business and interest groups around the world, particularly in developing countries, on the benefits of free trade agreements
- Lobby to change policy and promote new trade agreements.[5]
Contacts
Address:
- 57 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QL
Website:
References
- ↑ About, Institute for Free Trade website, accessed Sept 2017
- ↑ Boris Johnson hosts hard Brexit lobby group, The Times, 27 September 2017
- ↑ Boris Johnson hosts hard Brexit lobby group, The Times, 27 September 2017
- ↑ Koch Network ‘Disappointed’ in Health Care Bill, Targets Midterm Elections NBC News, 25 June 2017
- ↑ About, Institute for Free Trade website, accessed Sept 2017
