The 'anti-woke Davos' label attached to the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference in London takes on a new significance in light of scathing criticism aimed at Britain's net zero emissions targets. With over 4,000 delegates from 85 countries attending the high-profile event, including prominent Conservative Party figures and representatives from European far-right parties, the stage was set for a fiery exchange of views. At the centre of the storm is Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, who has been sharply attacked by speakers criticising UK energy policy.
US figures with ties to former President Donald Trump's administration seized on the opportunity to voice strong opposition to current British energy policies. Chris Wright, a former Energy Secretary under Trump and fossil fuel executive, labelled Britain's net zero ambitions as a 'tragic mistake' that has impoverished citizens. Mr Wright expressed scepticism about the severity of the climate crisis and predicted a future shift in UK leadership would lead to a significant reversal of energy policy, aligning it more closely with US approaches.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, a senior Conservative Party figure, used her platform to directly target Mr Miliband. Speaking alongside Tory peer Philippa Stroud, Ms Badenoch attributed Britain's deindustrialisation to Labour's net zero policies, stating that 'Ed Miliband has made our country poorer' – an assertion met with applause from the audience. The Business Secretary went further, asserting that Mr Miliband 'should not be let anywhere near the levers of power.'
The ARC conference's agenda has been marked by libertarian opposition to green economic policies, social conservative causes such as anti-abortion stances, and opposition to multiculturalism. The list of speakers includes US State Department officials and Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK. Significantly, the event's financial backing reportedly comes from major US fossil fuel interests, donors to Donald Trump, and anti-abortion organisations.
The criticism of Ed Miliband has emerged as speculation mounts over his potential role in a future Labour government led by Andy Burnham. As Shadow Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, Mr Miliband has long been a target for hard-right activists due to his work on Britain's net zero policies. The ARC conference serves as a high-profile platform for those advocating for a departure from current environmental and social policies.