THE PARTY FROM HELL!
Blair, McDonnell, Beatrice and a ruler dubbed The Crocodile... yes, it’s the rather dubious Davos summit guestlist
IT IS billed as a chance for the world’s top politicians and business leaders to discuss how to make the world a better place.
But the appearance of celebrities, minor royals – and even Robert Mugabe’s successor – at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos will fuel claims that the event is merely an excuse for the super-rich to throw lavish parties.
Among those joining Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump in the Swiss resort this week are Princess Beatrice, former prime minister Tony Blair, Marxist shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Zimbabwe’s leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Critics see the annual gathering as hypocritical and say some of the wealthiest people on the planet attend the Forum’s lectures only to make themselves feel better about their huge fortunes. The summit – which has been held at Davos since 1971 – is
‘Cocktails and a ballet performance’
funded by businesses which pay as much as £451,000 for the right to send their top staff.
Cocooned from the outside world by 4,500 Swiss police and soldiers and more than 25 miles of security fencing, they will enjoy lectures, cocktail parties and entertainment including a ballet performance exploring ‘chaos and harmony in nature’ and artwork made from the painted spines of 8,000 discarded books.
This year’s theme is ‘creating a shared future in a fractured world’ and – after a morning meditation class – visitors can listen to talks about the risks of inequality and the threats of climate change.
There is even an exhibition where guests can try out a day in the life of a refugee.
Those due to speak include Oscar- winning actress Cate Blanchett, describing ‘ her vision of a world that stands in solidarity with forcibly displaced persons’.
Rapper Will.i.am will share his thoughts on start-up businesses, how to train more mathematicians and engineers and ‘ the fusion of technology and society’ in three discussion panels.
And Mr Mnangagwa – who is nicknamed ‘the Crocodile’ – will set out how he thinks Zimbabwe can become a fully- formed democracy now he has taken over from Mugabe.
Guests who are not due to speak include singer Sir Elton John, who is on the list as a representative of his foundation to fight against Aids.
Former prime minister Mr Blair – a regular attendee – is taking part, along with failed US presidential candidate Al Gore, who is lecturing the assembled masses on climate change. Princess Beatrice, the Queen’s granddaughter, is understood to be going as part of her job as a corporate fixer, rather than as an official representative of the Royal Family.
She has picked up the baton from her father Prince Andrew, who was for years a regular Davos attendee in search of deals.
Meanwhile, Labour’s Mr McDonnell is opening himself up to charges of hypocrisy by rubbing shoulders with the rich.
The Shadow Chancellor, who once praised striking workers for spitting in their bosses’ tea, apparently intends to ‘use the opportunity to set out why it is vital we rewrite the rules of the global economy’. While poverty is likely to be on the agenda at Davos, many of its guests earn multimillion-pound salaries far beyond the dreams of ordinary people.
British bosses attending will include Sir Martin Sorrell, head of advertising goliath WPP, who last year warned the audience they are stuck in a ‘bubble’ – despite pocketing £48.1million in 2016.
Last week it was confirmed that Mrs May and Mr Trump will meet for bilateral talks.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, and French president Emmanuel Macron are on the long list of world leaders also set to be at the summit.