European Leaders Should Listen to Their Citizens, Say US Conservatives Attending London Conference
In the wake of Vice President JD Vance’s recent remarks in Munich, US conservatives attending a global conference in London urged European leaders to prioritize the concerns of their citizens over those of fellow elites.
Vance’s Munich Speech: Warning of Internal Threats
Vance had expressed concerns about the "threat from within" Europe, particularly the retreat from fundamental values such as free speech and government responsiveness to the populace. He criticized the "cavalier" fearmongering about a right-wing German party in the upcoming chancellor elections.
US Conservatives’ Message: Empower Citizens
Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., and Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts emphasized the importance of citizen empowerment. Hageman stressed that governments should not control people’s lives and that individuals should have the freedom to make their own decisions and order their own lives.
Roberts advised European leaders to listen to their citizens rather than rely solely on the advice of vocal elites like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He criticized Scholz and other European leaders for not spending enough on defense while expecting Americans to do more.
European Leaders’ Outrage
Scholz expressed outrage at Vance’s nod to the right-wing Alternativ für Deutschland (AfD) party in Berlin’s upcoming elections. He argued that German and European democracies are founded on the principle of protecting democracies from anti-democratic forces.
US Conservatives’ Translation for Europeans
Roberts emphasized that US conservatives, such as Vance and former President Donald Trump, are promoting a "commonsense revolution" in both domestic and foreign policy. He stated that this revolution emphasizes listening to the people and spending time with everyday citizens rather than focusing solely on elite circles.
He added that he and Hageman are "translating" American conservative policies to Europeans, who are becoming more receptive to these ideas. He suggested that European leaders would be more open to these policies if they engaged more with their citizens and less with the bureaucracy in Brussels.
Conclusion
US conservatives attending a conference in London urged European leaders to prioritize the concerns of their citizens and listen to their voices. They emphasized the importance of citizen empowerment and criticized European leaders for not spending enough on defense while expecting Americans to do more. While some European leaders have expressed outrage at Vance’s remarks, US conservatives believe that their message of empowering citizens is resonating with Europeans who are tired of government overreach and elite disregard.
