A National Conservatism conference in Brussels featuring UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage was disrupted by Belgian authorities, citing public safety, leading to significant backlash and talks of legal action.
Belgian authorities recently took action to shut down a National Conservatism conference in Brussels, citing public safety concerns. The event, which went ahead at a different venue after initial cancellations by two other spaces, featured prominent speakers including Suella Braverman, the UK Home Secretary, and Nigel Farage, a former UKIP leader. Despite police blockades preventing re-entry once attendees had exited, the closures led to sharp criticism from both speakers and attendees.
Suella Braverman used the incident to emphasize her views on the importance of border security and her stance on the UK withdrawing from the European Convention of Human Rights, which she believes conflicts with parliamentary democracy. Nigel Farage, known for his critical views on the European Union, contrasted his stance with former US President Donald Trump’s, suggesting his own criticisms were moderate in comparison. Farage likened the attempts by Brussels authorities to quell the conference to actions reminiscent of the “old Soviet Union.”
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo later remarked that the police actions were “unacceptable,” underscoring the significance of freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. In response, the conference organisers have signaled their intention to legally challenge the shutdown and are exploring options to convene the conference’s second day at an alternative location.
