Meeting of minds aims to plot Western liberal democracy’s revival

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, June 25, 2026

Over 4,000 political, academic, and media figures from 85 countries convened at London’s ARC conference to promote the renewal of liberal democracy and counter narratives of Western decline. The gathering featured prominent leaders from the UK, US, and Australia discussing challenges such as social media impact, energy affordability, and ideological threats to Western institutions, signaling a continued push to defend and reform liberal democratic values.

More than 4,000 politicians, journalists, entrepreneurs, and academics from 85 countries gathered this week at London’s Olympia Exhibition Centre for the 2026 Alliance of Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference, aiming to counter narratives of Western decline and advocate for the revitalization of liberal democracy.

Established in 2023 by Conservative peer Baroness Philippa Stroud, the ARC represents a pro-Western civilization movement focused on addressing what organizers view as the challenges facing contemporary liberal societies. This marks the fourth annual ARC meeting, following the 2024 gathering held in Sydney and hosted by co-founder and former Australian deputy prime minister John Anderson.

Set against the backdrop of recent political developments in the United Kingdom, including Labour leader Keir Starmer’s resignation, the conference has drawn notable political figures from Britain and the United States. Key British participants include Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. From the U.S., several politicians from the Trump administration attended, led by Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

Paul Marshall, a British media magnate and ARC co-founder, delivered the keynote address on Tuesday (AEST), emphasizing the conference's mission to restore confidence in liberal democratic values while addressing pressing social issues. Topics discussed included the impact of social media on children, declining literacy rates, the affordability of energy, and the youth mental health crisis.

The opening day featured a conversation with Anglo-Russian satirist Konstantin Kisin and Somali-born author and campaigner Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Hirsi Ali, who fled to the Netherlands to avoid a forced marriage, expressed concern that Western civilization faces internal threats from both communist ideologies and Islamism. She warned that these forces seek to undermine institutions centered on individual rights, instead promoting collectivist agendas she fears could lead Western societies to adopt patterns reminiscent of her country of origin.

Australian representation at the ARC conference includes former prime ministers Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison, alongside John Anderson. Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie addressed the conference Tuesday evening (AEST), calling for significant reform in Australia's university sector. Prominent Australian media figures such as foreign editor Greg Sheridan and columnists Chris Uhlmann and Peta Credlin are also participating in the event.

The ARC conference continues to position itself as a forum for reasserting the values and institutions of Western liberal democracy amid ongoing global political and cultural debates.

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