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| Abbreviation | YBF |
|---|---|
| Formation | July 2003 (2003-07) |
| Legal status | Closed |
| Purpose | Training conservative political activists |
| Location | |
President Chief Executive | Daniel Hannan[1] Donal Blaney |
TheYoung Britons' Foundation, abbreviated toYBF, was a Britishconservative[2][3]not-for-profit training, education and researchthink-tank, established in July 2003.
It promoted young conservatives and "classical liberals".[2] The chief executive officer of the organization, Donal Blaney, has described YBF as "a Conservativemadrasa".[4] YBF has strong links with the Americanneoconservative movements,[5] and partnerships with American conservative think-tanks and foundations.[5]
YBF was launched in July 2003 at a conference of theYoung America's Foundation inWashington, D.C. YBF wanted to expose what it perceived to be left-wing bias in British universities.[2][3][6] YBF was originally based inRegent Street, London, leading some Conservatives to question its funding.[clarification needed] YBF's funding came from private donations.[6]
On 21 December 2015The Times reported that Donal Blaney had resigned as chief executive, following on from the allegations of bullying towards former YBF director of outreachMark Clarke.[7][8]The Times also reported that YBF was likely to close,[7] and as of November 2016 the YBF website was not operating.[9]
YBF's chief executive was Donal Blaney, a former national chairman ofConservative Future,[5] and its chairman isPatrick Nicholls, formerConservative MP forTeignbridge and government minister. The president of YBF wasDaniel Hannan, then ConservativeMember of the European Parliament forSouth East England.[10][11] The author and long-standing EuroscepticFrederick Forsyth was also a patron of YBF.[12]
As of September 2010, YBF's "advisory board" includedMatthew Elliott, founder of the UKTaxPayers' Alliance, and representatives ofThe Heritage Foundation, aWashington, D.C.–based conservative think tank, theCompetitive Enterprise Institute andAmerican Conservative Union, a U.S. conservative lobbying organisation. It also includes the founder of theLeadership Institute, the president of theJesse Helms Center, the president of theYoung America's Foundation, the co-founder of theHenry Jackson Society and a former executive director of theCollegiate Network. British representatives include ProfessorPatrick Minford, bloggerIain Dale, who resigned in the same year,[13] and two local councillors.[14]Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, was a member of the YBF's parliamentary council.[11]Conor Burns was until shortly before becoming an MP in 2010 the vice-president of YBF.[11]
Donal Blaney stated that the Young Britons' Foundation was largely funded by himself, at a cost of about £50,000 per year.[8]
In 2010,The Guardian reported that there was "an informal understanding that YBF is the main provider of training for young Conservative activists."[5] in 2010, Conservative Party ChairmanEric Pickles, Shadow Home Affairs MinisterAndrew Rosindell and Shadow Defence SecretaryLiam Fox spoke at the annual YBF Parliamentary Rally at theHouse of Commons.[4] In 2010, it was reported that YBF claimed to have trained 2,500 Conservative party activists.[4] At least 11 Conservative parliamentary candidates in the2010 general election have been delegates or speakers at YBF courses.[5]
Training costs were subsidised and cost about £45 for students, including accommodation and meals. Training and conferences were carried out underChatham House Rule.[8]
In the last days of the2010 United Kingdom general election over 500,000 leaflets were delivered by YBF to over 20 LibDem/Conservative marginals across the country warning of the dangers of ahung parliament.[11]
During the2008 presidential election, YBF sent a delegation of activists to campaign in the United States forJohn McCain.[15] In 2010, YBF's executive director addressed the USConservative Political Action Conference "warning of the dangers of socialism".[16]
In the 2013 elections to theCommon Council of the City of London the YBF ran around 20 candidates challenging the City establishment.[17]
The 2015 YBF conference was cancelled after allegations of bullying towards former YBF director of outreachMark Clarke.[8][18] Six Cabinet ministers due to speak at the conference had previously withdrawn, citing diary clashes.[19]
