The inaugural Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) GB in London has brought together hard-right figures from around the world, spearheaded by former Prime Minister Liz Truss. The event, which runs for three days, features keynote speakers including US rightwing influencer Jack Posobiec, who promoted the fabricated “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory. “The British people must rise up and take back their country,” Posobiec told a few hundred attendees who paid between £100 and £10,000 for access.
Key Speakers and Sponsors
Sponsors include the John Birch Society, a hard-right US advocacy group, AI company Alpha Compute, and Bitcoin-related firms. Expected speakers over the next two days include Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, and Pauline Hanson, leader of Australia’s One Nation party. On Thursday, George Simion, a Romanian ultranationalist narrowly defeated in last year’s presidential elections, referenced far-right slogans such as “remigration” and the “great replacement” conspiracy theory. “This is not diversity. This is replacement. The answer is remigration. Legal, orderly but firm,” he said.
Truss’s Political Comeback
Truss, who served as prime minister for six weeks, aims to rebuild her legacy and influence on the British right. Former minister Suella Braverman praised Truss and called for unity among right-wing leaders. In a speech about white working-class boys, Braverman said: “Inequality has been embedded in our society precisely because of attempts to create equality... Attempts to be anti-racist have institutionalised anti-white racism.”
Controversies and Absences
The event has drawn criticism for hosting figures who have promoted conspiracy theories and far-right ideologies. Notably absent is Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who has distanced herself from Truss’s economic legacy. Truss confirmed she remains a Conservative member but declined to say whether far-right activist Tommy Robinson would be welcome or if she would join Reform. She stood by claims that her government was brought down by the “deep state,” stating: “The Bank of England were largely responsible for what happened in 2022. The Bank of England is the deep state.”
Economic and Social Context
The Truss government’s mini-budget, proposing £45bn in unfunded tax cuts, is widely regarded by economists as having risked UK economic stability. Meanwhile, speakers like Matt Goodwin, a Reform activist, claimed without evidence that the “Islamo-Green party” rigged a byelection using Muslim “clan networks.” Police found no evidence of criminality in that byelection, which the Green party won with over 40% of the vote.
