In a significant political development, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's latest high-profile recruit, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, has been revealed to have accepted substantial financial backing from a prominent American think-tank that actively supports Donald Trump's immigration policies.
Financial Links to Controversial US Think-Tank
The Tory defector, who joined Farage's party earlier this week, had a trip valued at over £9,000 fully funded by The Heritage Foundation during January of last year. According to her official register of interests, this substantial sum covered flights, accommodation, and airport transfers during her visit to the United States.
Connection to ICE Controversies
The Heritage Foundation has emerged as a vocal defender of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, known as ICE, which has faced intense criticism following several deadly shootings involving its agents. In recent weeks, ICE agents have been involved in fatal incidents that claimed the lives of an ICU nurse and an award-winning poet in Minneapolis, Minnesota, sparking nationwide protests across America.
Despite these controversies, The Heritage Foundation has publicly defended ICE's actions, stating on social media platform X that "the problem is NOT ICE or immigration law enforcement" but rather what they describe as leftist obstruction and attacks on agents. The think-tank's position has drawn sharp criticism from British political figures concerned about the implications of such connections.
Political Reactions and Concerns
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper expressed strong condemnation, stating: "This is outrageous and yet more evidence that Farage's coterie is in cahoots with Trump's MAGA movement. This staggering sum is proof that Reform is trying to turn Trump's America into Farage's Britain."
A Labour source added further criticism: "As if Suella's defection to Reform wasn't enough, it's now emerged she accepted a trip worth thousands of pounds from a US think tank pushing hard-line positions that are completely out of step with most people in Britain. Voters are right to ask whose side she's really on."
Braverman's Alignment with Heritage Foundation Ideology
During her funded visit, Braverman delivered the annual Margaret Thatcher Freedom Lecture, where she praised The Heritage Foundation as "the brightest beacon of liberty, aspiration, and prosperity for many years" and described it as "a giant, towering over the policy think tank landscape." Her speech echoed Trumpian rhetoric, with the former Home Secretary declaring that "too many people are coming into our country who do not abide by our laws" and concluding with the phrase "It's time to Make Britain Great Again."
Joe Mulhall, Director of Research at Hope Not Hate, commented on the ideological alignment: "Sadly, it is no surprise that Suella Braverman has accepted funds from the Heritage Foundation. Her own increasingly radical politics, which have seen her defect to Reform UK, align well with much of the output of this infamous US think-tank."
The Heritage Foundation's Political Influence
The right-wing think-tank has been instrumental in developing Project 2025, a comprehensive policy blueprint for Donald Trump's potential second term in office. This extensive document, spanning over 900 pages, explicitly calls for Congress to "fund ICE for at least 20,000 ERO officers" – a significant expansion of immigration enforcement capabilities.
The foundation's influence extends beyond immigration policy, having been involved in efforts to unseal documents relating to Prince Harry's US visa application last year. Notably, former Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss also delivered a speech at the foundation in 2024, indicating a pattern of British political figures engaging with the organisation.
Broader Implications for British Politics
This revelation comes at a sensitive time in British politics, with Braverman's defection representing a significant blow to the Conservative Party and a major coup for Reform UK. The financial connection to an organisation that advocates for policies many consider extreme raises questions about the direction of Farage's party and its international affiliations.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the relationship between British political movements and influential American think-tanks is likely to remain a subject of intense scrutiny and debate among policymakers and the public alike.
