Lead

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has confirmed he will be one of the main speakers at the UK edition of the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC), an American conservative summit being brought to Britain by former prime minister Liz Truss. The event, scheduled for next month, bills itself as aiming to "save Britain, save the west." The announcement comes after Reform UK sources had told the Guardian in March that the party would be "steering clear" of the event, though Farage later said he had not confirmed either way.

Coverage Comparison

The Guardian's reporting on the CPAC UK event is the primary source for this story, with a detailed account of the lineup and the political context surrounding Farage's participation. A second Guardian article focuses on a related but distinct event, the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) conference, a rightwing London summit described as an "anti-woke" Davos, which has drawn attention for its attendees and funding. Both articles were published by the same outlet and share a critical tone toward the populist-right politics represented at these gatherings.

Key Claims

  • Farage to headline CPAC UK: According to The Guardian, Farage announced he will speak at CPAC UK, joining a lineup that includes US rightwing influencer Jack Posobiec and former Conservative cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg. Posobiec has a history of promoting conspiracy theories, including the fabricated "Pizzagate" narrative, and has made statements that some interpret as endorsing the overthrow of democratic institutions, though he later clarified he meant only the Democrats' version of democracy.
  • Rees-Mogg's participation: The Guardian reports that Rees-Mogg, who had previously indicated he would not take part, changed his mind because he did not like to see Truss being politically shunned.
  • Political context: Farage's decision comes amid Reform UK losing support to the right in the Makerfield byelection, where Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party is gaining a presence. Additionally, Farage has faced scrutiny over a £5m gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, which was not declared before the election and is now under investigation by the standards commissioner. The Guardian notes that Farage has not given his usual press conferences for several weeks since the gift was revealed.
  • Arc conference details: A separate article from The Guardian reports that the Arc conference, happening in June, will feature attendees including Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, and US government officials, including Sarah B Rogers, US undersecretary of state for public diplomacy. The conference has a strong US anti-abortion presence, with representatives from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) expected. Corporate attendees include Johnson & Johnson, Palantir, and BP. The conference is funded by Paul Marshall and Legatum.

Perspectives

  • Organizers' perspective: CPAC UK organizers, led by Liz Truss, frame the event as a gathering to "save Britain, save the west," suggesting a focus on conservative values and a perceived need to counter progressive political trends. The inclusion of figures like Farage and Posobiec indicates an alignment with populist-right movements.
  • Reform UK's internal dynamics: Farage's participation at CPAC UK, despite earlier signals to the contrary, may reflect pressures within the party, including competition from the right and ongoing controversies. The Guardian suggests his change of heart could be a response to these challenges.
  • Critics' perspective: The Guardian's coverage highlights concerns about the influence of hard-right figures and the blurring of lines between mainstream conservatism and more extreme elements. The investigation into the Arc conference's attendees and funding raises questions about the intersection of politics, corporate interests, and ideological agendas.