Thousands are planning to travel from Southampton and surrounding to descend on the capital for Tommy Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest, now featuring a planned celebration of the late Charlie Kirk. The event, which organisers claim will be the UK’s “biggest free speech” demonstration, is scheduled for this Saturday, 13th September.
A tribute to Charlie Kirk, the US founder of Turning Point, who was murdered earlier this week will also take place at the event. Kirk was a prominent supporter of Robinson, regularly using his platform to champion Robinson’s cause—especially while Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was serving a prison sentence for contempt of court. In 2018, Kirk drew international attention by criticising the UK’s treatment of Robinson, contrasting it with then-Mayor Sadiq Khan’s public statements on free speech. “Sadiq Khan is trying to lecture the world on ‘free speech’ while Tommy Robinson is locked in a London prison for speaking his mind,” Kirk tweeted. He continued, “Open and diverse? Value freedom of speech? Is that why Tommy Robinson is trapped in prison while UK media is forbidden from covering it?” Robinson’s sentence stemmed from broadcasting an hour-long Facebook Live outside Leeds Crown Court, a move that risked derailing a major trial. He pleaded guilty to contempt of court and was jailed within hours.
The protest will see supporters gather on Stamford Street in Southwark from 11.30am. The route takes participants along York Road in Waterloo, past the Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge Hotel, across Westminster Bridge, and down Bridge Street before turning onto Parliament Street and ending on Horse Guards Avenue, near Whitehall and just outside 10 Downing Street.
Organisers have encouraged those attending to avoid Waterloo station, which is expected to be severely overcrowded. Instead, they recommend arriving via London Bridge, Southwark, or Blackfriars stations and joining the march from the side of the road closest to these points.
High-profile speakers is set to address the crowd in Whitehall. Steve Bannon, the close friend of Charlie Kirk and former chief strategist to Donald Trump, is expected to deliver a speech warning about what he calls the “tyranny” of the Labour government and the erosion of free speech in the UK. Tommy Robinson will also speak, alongside Katie Hopkins, whose provocative commentary on political and social issues is widely known and has seen her events in Southampton cancelled (at the Concorde Club by left wing activists and Southampton Council members). Well known Canadian Podcaster Jordan Peterson will also be flying to the UK to speak at the the event, Peterson and his wife Tammy have been vocal supporters of Tommy Robinson. Other speakers include Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch commentator and conservative voice in European debate; Dominik Tarczyński, a Polish MEP and advocate for national sovereignty; Petr Bystron, a German AfD MP critical of EU migration policies; Philip Dewinter, a senior figure in Belgium’s Vlaams Belang party; and Morten Messerschmidt, a Danish MEP recognised for his Eurosceptic and pro-Danish identity stance. Sammy Woodhouse, a campaigner for victim protection and justice reform, and Ant Middleton, former Special Forces soldier and TV personality, will also take the stage.
Stand Up To Racism UK—the anti-fascism group which receives funding from the government—has organised a counter-protest against Robinson’s rally. Police are expected to be out in force, and both groups are being urged to remain peaceful. Authorities warn of travel disruption in Southwark, Waterloo, Westminster Bridge, and Whitehall. Temporary diversions and station closures are possible, and all travellers should check for updates and allow extra time for journeys.
Anyone planning to visit central London on Saturday should be prepared for large crowds, travel delays, and a heavy police presence as the city becomes the focus of international attention for one of the year’s biggest political rallies.
Southampton Times understands that around twenty coaches will be leaving Southampton for the event from Southampton Train Station, Lordshill and Rownhams services. Details can be found online.
