McKenzie Declares War on 'Globalists' at CPAC London
The presence of Liz Truss as the organizer of CPAC GB adds a layer of political weight to the gathering that extends far beyond a mere talking shop. The former British prime minister, who served a brief but tumultuous term in 2022, has sought to rebrand herself as the standard-bearer for the conservative movement's ideological wing. Her decision to host the event in London demonstrates a clear intent to anchor the UK firmly within the Anglosphere's right-wing network, signaling that her political ambitions remain undeterred by her previous resignation. Analysts suggest that Truss is leveraging the conference to maintain relevance within the Conservative Party, potentially positioning herself for a future comeback by rallying the grassroots who feel alienated by the current leadership's centrist drift.
The choice of London as the venue is deeply symbolic, representing a desire to reclaim the capital from the liberal metropolitan elite that many attendees blame for the country's current political direction. For years, the capital has been viewed by the right as a fortress of progressive values, disconnected from the rest of the country. By staging CPAC GB in the heart of the city, Truss and her allies are attempting a psychological reclamation of the nation's cultural and political center. Sources close to the organizing committee confirmed that the goal was to create a permanent forum for exchanging strategies between the UK, Australia, and the United States. This alliance is predicated not only on shared language and history but, more importantly, on a shared dissatisfaction with the status quo and a collective rejection of multilateral constraints.
The conference featured panels on deregulation, tax cuts, and sovereignty—themes that have defined Truss's political career since her resignation. By bringing together figures like McKenzie and Hanson, Truss is signaling that the battle for conservatism's future is global, not just domestic. The event also served as a crucial networking hub for donors and activists, with officials reporting a surge in interest from right-wing think tanks across Europe. This indicates a growing desire for a coordinated international response to the perceived overreach of global governance, positioning London not as a bridge to the continent, but as a bulwark against it.
McKenzie's Rhetoric: Defining the Enemy
While Truss provided the institutional gravitas, it was McKenzie who delivered the rhetorical thunder that defined the conference's ideological stance. In a keynote address that was equal parts campaign speech and revolutionary manifesto, McKenzie declared an unequivocal war on 'globalists.' This was not merely a critique of international trade or diplomacy, but a fundamental rejection of the philosophical underpinnings of the post-Cold War liberal order. McKenzie framed the conflict as a binary struggle between the patriotic citizen and the rootless cosmopolitan, a narrative that resonated deeply with an audience feeling the dislocation of rapid economic and cultural change.
McKenzie's definition of 'globalism' was expansive, targeting entities ranging from the World Economic Forum to the United Nations and regional trade blocs. He argued that these institutions act as unelected bureaucracies that undermine national sovereignty and dilute democratic accountability. 'We are not against trade,' McKenzie asserted to a cheering crowd, 'we are against the erosion of our right to self-determination by technocrats who do not share our values, our history, or our faith.' This distinction is crucial for the movement, as it attempts to shed the protectionist label that has often hampered right-wing populist movements in the past.
The speech functioned as a rallying cry for a movement that has often struggled to articulate a positive vision beyond opposition. By defining the enemy with such precision, McKenzie offered a unifying target for the disparate factions of the right—from libertarians concerned with monetary policy to cultural warriors focused on immigration and identity. Expert analysis suggests that this rhetoric is designed to transcend national borders, creating a shared identity for conservatives in London, Sydney, and Washington who feel besieged by the same international forces. McKenzie's ability to weave local grievances into a global tapestry of resistance marks a significant evolution in the communication strategies of the New Right, moving from specific policy complaints to a broad existential challenge.
The Anglosphere Strategy: A Post-Brexit Vision
The push for a 'New Anglosphere Alliance' at CPAC London represents the maturation of a post-Brexit geopolitical strategy that has been simmering on the British right for decades. With the UK formally outside the European Union, the intellectual drive to pivot toward the 'CANZUK' nations—Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK—has moved from the fringes to the center of conservative strategy. The conference dedicated significant floor space to discussing how this loose confederation of English-speaking nations could form a geopolitical and economic bloc capable of rivaling the EU and counterbalancing China.
This vision is predicated on the concept of 'kinship diplomacy'—the idea that shared legal traditions, language, and political culture should naturally lead to deeper integration. Proponents argue that an Anglosphere free trade area would be one of the most dynamic economic zones in the world, liberated from the regulatory burdens that stifle innovation in Europe. Panels at the event explored the mechanics of such an alliance, discussing mutual recognition of professional qualifications, streamlined security protocols, and coordinated foreign policy stances. The enthusiasm for this project was palpable, particularly among delegates from Australia and Canada who see the UK as a crucial bridge to the United States.
However, experts warn that the path to this alliance is fraught with complexity. While the cultural ties are strong, the economic interests of these nations are often divergent, particularly regarding agriculture and trade with China. Moreover, the current political leadership in Canada and New Zealand does not share the ideological fervor of the CPAC attendees. Despite these hurdles, the focus on the Anglosphere serves a vital domestic political purpose: it offers a nostalgic, forward-looking narrative that promises a return to global influence for the UK without the compromises required by EU membership. It is a story of 'Global Britain' that appeals to the conservative base, promising that leaving the EU was not a retreat into isolationism, but the first step toward a more authentic global leadership.
Economic Policy: The Return of Supply-Side Orthodoxy
A significant portion of the conference was dedicated to rehabilitating the economic doctrines that defined the Thatcher and Reagan eras, often referred to as supply-side economics. In the wake of the market turmoil that followed Liz Truss's 'mini-budget' in 2022, many commentators declared the end of the tax-cutting consensus. However, CPAC London demonstrated that the ideological commitment to low taxes and deregulation remains not only alive but fervent among the conservative grassroots. Speakers argued that the market reaction to Truss's budget was not a rejection of her policies, but a failure of communication and a lack of political courage from the Bank of England and the Treasury establishment.
The tone regarding economic policy was uncompromising. Workshops on 'unleashing enterprise' and 'slashing red tape' were packed, reflecting a deep-seated belief among activists that the UK's economic stagnation is structural rather than cyclical. The narrative presented was that the British economy is being throttled by an overbearing state and a regulatory environment that discourages risk-taking. McKenzie and other speakers called for radical cuts to corporate taxes and the abolition of environmental regulations that they claim hamper growth. This return to orthodoxy is framed not just as an economic necessity, but as a moral imperative—a way to reward hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.
Critics, however, point out that this economic vision lacks a coherent response to the cost-of-living crisis affecting ordinary voters. By focusing almost exclusively on supply-side measures, the conference largely ignored demand-side issues such as energy prices and wage stagnation. Nevertheless, the determination to push this agenda suggests a coming battle within the Conservative Party. If the current government continues with its more centrist fiscal approach, the pressure from the grassroots, energized by events like CPAC, could force a shift to the right or risk splitting the party. The conference made it clear that for this wing of the party, 'growth' is a synonym for deregulation, and they view any compromise as a betrayal of principle.
The Culture War Frontline: Sovereignty vs. Wokeism
Beyond economics and geopolitics, the fuel that powered the energy at CPAC London was undoubtedly the culture war. The conference floor buzzed with discussions on 'wokeism,' gender ideology, and the defense of traditional values. For many attendees, these issues are not peripheral distractions but the central struggle of our time. McKenzie and Truss both touched on the need to 'decolonize' British institutions from what they described as cultural Marxist ideologies. This rhetorical framing casts political correctness and social justice initiatives not as attempts at equality, but as tools of control used by the globalist elite to dismantle national identity.
The intensity of the focus on cultural issues reflects a strategic calculation by the organizers. Economic arguments can be dry and complex, but the defense of heritage and identity is visceral and mobilizing. Panels on education focused heavily on removing 'critical race theory' and 'gender ideology' from school curriculums, framing these as parental rights issues. Similarly, discussions on the arts and media centered on the 'left-wing bias' of the BBC and the need for alternative media ecosystems. This aligns with a broader international trend where the right is building its own cultural infrastructure—think tanks, news sites, and publishing houses—to bypass traditional gatekeepers.
This culture war stance serves a dual purpose: it rallies the base and it acts as a smokescreen for the lack of immediate political power. By focusing on battles over statues, pronouns, and history, the movement can claim victories in the realm of public opinion even while losing elections. Furthermore, it creates a binary 'us vs. them' dynamic that is essential for populist mobilization. The experts in attendance noted that the success of this strategy depends on the continued perception of a threat; as long as the conservative base feels their way of life is under attack, the demand for champions like Truss and McKenzie will remain high.
What Comes Next: The Road to the Next Election
As the conference drew to a close, the inevitable question turned to the political impact of this gathering. With the UK facing a general election in the near future, the Conservative Party is trailing in the polls and grappling with an identity crisis. CPAC London was less about winning over swing voters and more about consolidating the right flank. The immediate impact is likely to be increased pressure on the party leadership to adopt harder lines on immigration, Europe, and cultural issues to prevent a leakage of votes to fringe right-wing parties.
For Liz Truss, the event was a successful soft launch of her post-PM career. By positioning herself as a global thinker rather than a failed domestic administrator, she is attempting to change the narrative. Her allies are already briefing that she is the 'ideas' candidate of the right, providing the intellectual ammunition for the next generation of conservatives. Whether this will translate into a cabinet return or a leadership bid remains uncertain, but she has successfully carved out a niche as the bridge between the British Tory party and the American MAGA movement.
Looking ahead, the 'war on globalists' declared by McKenzie is likely to intensify. As economic conditions remain volatile and geopolitical tensions rise, the appeal of simple, nationalist solutions is likely to grow. The alliance formed at CPAC London suggests that the right is preparing for a long-term struggle, one that transcends individual election cycles. The establishment of a permanent forum in London indicates that this is not a one-off protest but an attempt to build an institutional infrastructure for the New Right. The coming months will reveal if this energy can be harnessed to shift government policy or if it will remain a powerful, but ultimately isolated, movement shouting from the sidelines.