The Conservative Party in the UK has long been divided between its nationalist and globalist wings, but a high-profile speech at CPAC London suggests that this rift may be growing deeper. Senator Bridget McKenzie's call to arms against what she terms 'leftwing globalists' has sparked controversy on both sides of the Atlantic.
Speaking at the inaugural CPAC GB conference in London, which was organised by former Prime Minister Liz Truss and featured several prominent right-wing figures, Senator McKenzie declared a "war" between conservatives and what she described as 'leftwing globalists', mass immigration, and "woke" institutions. The Senate leader for the National party called on right-wing movements across the English-speaking world to unite and actively counter these forces, framing the challenges faced by both Australia and Britain as part of a broader ideological struggle.
Senator McKenzie's speech focused heavily on Australia's immigration policy, arguing that the country should be more selective about who is permitted to settle there. She claimed that the Labor government's policies would lead to two million additional arrivals between 2022-23 and 2027-28, despite official figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing net overseas migration decreasing to 306,000 in 2024–25 from 429,000 the previous year.
She asserted that if one loves their country and respects its past, they shouldn't be apologising for discriminating about who can come and live there – not on race, but on values. She added that if someone believes sharia laws are superior to the laws inherited from Britain, then Australia is not the place for them.
Framing the challenges faced by both countries as part of a broader ideological struggle, Senator McKenzie alleged a global effort "to undermine the very best of our British heritage by leftwing globalists," whom she described as well-funded, disciplined, and relentless. She urged conservatives to "professionalise" their efforts, warning that their opponent is real, dangerous, and wants to destroy them.
Later, during a panel discussion chaired by Ms Truss, Senator McKenzie further claimed that Australia had become "the most woke" country in the Anglosphere. She argued that successive governments had eroded national sovereignty through high levels of immigration, net-zero policies, and decisions made by unelected bodies rather than elected politicians.
In Australia, Senator McKenzie's remarks have been met with a strong backlash. Labor frontbencher Andrew Charlton criticised Ms Hanson for not addressing the most pressing issues facing Australia, stating, "Australia is a multicultural country... I just think it would be helpful if we focused on the issues that affect people's lives rather than getting bogged down in arguments about immigration."