Liz Truss's ambitious endeavour to transplant the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) from the US to the UK has been met with a lukewarm reception, as the inaugural event in London drew an unexpectedly sparse crowd. With fewer than 200 people attending an auditorium that could accommodate 500, the event fell short of expectations, sparking concerns about its potential influence and relevance on British politics.
The conference featured a lineup of speakers that included Toby Young, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, and Andrew Griffith, the Conservative Shadow Business Secretary. Griffith's participation has raised eyebrows, as his presence on the platform alongside some of the more polarising figures scheduled to speak may be seen as inconsistent with the opposition party's stance.
The atmosphere at the London CPAC was described as subdued, in stark contrast to its high-profile US counterpart. Critics have suggested that the event lacked gravitas and featured speakers who offered familiar narratives, contributing to a general sense of disinterest among the audience. The choice of venue in South East London has also been noted, particularly given previous comments from some speakers describing parts of the capital as 'no-go zones'.
US CPAC chair Mike Schlapp used his introduction to criticise the UK's political leadership, including its former prime ministers. Liz Truss, co-chairing the event, remained visibly stoic in response, leading to speculation about her perception of the comments. Two later speakers referred to Ms Truss as if she were still the Prime Minister, further underscoring the unconventional tone of the proceedings.
The sparse attendance and the nature of the speeches delivered have sparked debate within political circles about the direction of a segment of conservative thought in the UK and the perceived attempts to align it more closely with elements of the American far-right. The event's lukewarm reception suggests that the UK iteration of CPAC may struggle to gain significant traction or influence in the British political landscape.