Sir Paul Marshall has called for a new era of “reconstruction” in the West as he spoke before the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) Conference in London.
The GB News co-lead investor urged political and cultural leaders to rebuild confidence in Western civilisation and create a society “in which the majority, and not just the minority, can flourish”.
In his address, Sir Paul called for a renewed commitment to free markets, free speech, strong institutions and civic responsibility, while urging schools and universities to foster critical thinking and confidence in Western culture.
“We need to recover confidence in our civilisation and defend it from parasitic and progressive follies,” he stressed.
To that end, the businessman appealed for the creation of a positive vision that could inspire future generations.
“We need to turn these ideas into a positive vision of the good, the beautiful and the true, which can inspire a new generation and give them a stake in their society and in the future," he said.
“We need to create a world in which the majority, and not just the minority, can flourish. We need reconstruction.”
The GB News investor explained that such a revival was needed after decades of cultural and intellectual “deconstruction”, which had left society divided, pessimistic and ill-equipped to face future challenges.
Sir Paul Marshall has called for a new era of 'reconstruction' in the West at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) Conference
|GB NEWS
Sir Paul described himself as a “classical liberal” who felt politics had shifted dramatically in recent years.
“And just like those Democrats, I feel like politics has shifted around me. And I'm sure many of you in this hall feel the same thing.”
Referencing comments made by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, Sir Paul argued that many people who once considered themselves politically mainstream now feel alienated by modern politics.
“It even feels like politics has gone slightly mad. Abandon common sense, lost its way,” he said.
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'We need to recover confidence in our civilisation and defend it from parasitic and progressive follies,' Sir Paul stressed
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“In many ways the West now lives in Foucault's world, the world of oppressors and victims,” he said, adding: “The world of my truth and your truth.”
The businessman accused modern progressivism of undermining traditional institutions and values while offering little in their place.
“Progressive progressivism relies on a utopian theory of human nature.
“It argues for rights without responsibilities. It seeks to break down traditional structures like the family, the church and the nation in the name of individualism.”
Sir Paul also argued that economic factors had fuelled the rise of divisive ideologies, pointing to the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
“We privatised gains and socialised losses,” he said, claiming quantitative easing had become “an engine of inequality” that benefited asset owners while leaving others behind.
He warned that younger generations had paid the highest price.
“We boomers, my generation, have made a right mess. We screwed up.
The businessman appealed for the creation of a positive vision that could inspire future generations
|GB NEWS
“We encourage huge numbers of them to go to university, to earn useless degrees from resentful academics with no experience of the real world.
“They have been fed false narratives about our history and our culture. They have emerged from three years of purgatory with huge debts. They face uncertain economic futures.
“We don't know what AI will mean for their job prospects, but some will struggle for sure.
“They will see growth in GDP, but it will be growth in GDP for me and not for thee. Change is coming faster than any of us can imagine,” Sir Paul said.