Hundreds of protestors travelled up from Southampton by rail and road to join an estimated one hundred thousand protestors who filled the streets of central London on Saturday. Marchers shouted for the release of protest organiser Tommy Robinson with ‘We want Tommy Out’ chants. The ‘Unite the Kingdom’ demonstration, which was largely peaceful resulted in the arrest of two individuals as clashes erupted between supporters and counter-protesters from ‘Stand Up to Racism’, who also had two demonstrators arrested.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was unable to participate in the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march he had planned, having been remanded into custody the day prior. His absence did not deter the legacy media labelled ‘far-right’ crowd, who brandished Union Jacks and St George’s flags while chanting slogans such as “oh Tommy Tommy” and “we want Starmer out,” targeting Labour leader Keir Starmer and demanding the release of their leader.
As the protest unfolded, a recorded video message from Robinson saw the Prime Minister’s face projected onto a screen, prompting shouts of “traitor,” boos, and explicit language from the crowd, which reverberated through Whitehall. Speeches at the event were also given by former MP Andrew Ridgen, journalist Danny Lockwood and well known political blogger Carl Robinson who hosts the popular Lotus Eaters podcast series.
The Metropolitan Police faced a challenging day, with officers from various regions deployed to manage the demonstrations. Three separate protests took place across the city, with the Met making two arrests at the ‘Uniting the Kingdom’ protest. According to a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, the arrests were made for breaching the Public Order Act and on charges of a racially aggravated public order offense.
Despite the fervent chants supporting Robinson, the march was predominantly peaceful, with participants also expressing solidarity with Peter Lynch, who recently died in prison. Riot vans were stationed along Central London’s streets as officers maintained a visible presence to ensure order.
Simultaneously, a counter-protest organized by the campaign group Stand Up to Racism took place, highlighting the deep divisions and ongoing tensions surrounding the event. As the day progressed, both sides of the protest navigated a complex landscape of public order, free speech, and political expression.
The events of Saturday underscore the growing political influence of Robinson and the broader societal debates over nationalism, identity, and justice in the UK. As authorities continue to monitor the situation, London remains a focal point for these contentious issues.
One marcher commented “If everyone that attended the march is far-right, then eighty percent of the country is far right too. We’re marching against injustices in this country which people like Tommy Robinson have the bravery to shine a light on”.
