London is hosting a right-wing conference this week, with former Prime Minister Liz Truss importing the American Conservative Political Action Conference to the UK. Known as CPAC, the US has hosted the annual political conference attended by conservative activists and officials for more than 50 years, organised by the American Conservative Union. In recent years, CPAC has gone global, and now thousands will be gathering in London from Thursday to Saturday for the UK version.
What is CPAC?
The first CPAC in the UK is taking place between July 16 and 18 at the InterContinental London hotel next to the O2 arena. Liz Truss is chairing the event, and CPAC organisers claim that it will “unite common-sense politics with a fiercely pro-growth, pro-sovereignty agenda.” Supporters see it as an opportunity for conservatives from different countries to exchange ideas - but a number of critics have argued that it provides a platform for nationalist and far-right figures. CPAC describes itself as a conference promoting policies focused on national sovereignty, economic growth, free speech and conservative politics.
Who Will Be Speaking?
Speakers from across the UK, the US and Europe will be appearing at CPAC this week. Proceedings began on Thursday morning with a tribute to Ann Widdecombe, who died last week following an alleged attack at her Dartmoor home. Speakers during the morning session included social commentator Toby Young, shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith, academic Matt Goodwin, historian David Starkey and former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith. In the afternoon, presenter Dan Wootton, former Conservative MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Reform UK MP Suella Braverman were among the speakers. Later in the week, many other right-wing figures are due to appear, including Nigel Farage, Reform UK Candidate for Mayor of London Laila Cunningham and former President of Poland Andrzej Duda.
Event Details and Impact
According to the CPAC website, the three-day event will “feature global heavyweights, bringing together major speakers from across the United States, the United Kingdom, and aligned global movements to chart a course for a prosperous, sovereign future.” The conference is expected to draw thousands of attendees and has sparked both enthusiasm from conservatives and criticism from those who view it as a platform for extremist views.
