UK - Implications of 13 September 'Unite The Kingdom Rally' and Counter-Protest, London

Key Takeaways:

• On 13 September 2025, London hosted the “Unite the Kingdom” rally organised by Tommy Robinson, with police estimating attendance between 110,000 and 150,000, while organisers claimed millions. A smaller counter-protest of around 5,000 participants was held by Stand Up To Racism.

• The rally featured a mix of UK and international speakers, including Laurence Fox, Katie Hopkins, Ben Habib, Ant Middleton, Éric Zemmour, Petr Bystron, Philip Dewinter, Eva Vlaardingerbroek, and Elon Musk (via video link). Speeches included anti-immigration messaging, Christian nationalist rhetoric, and warnings about societal “replacement.”

• Disorder occurred when some attendees ignored police directions, resulting in clashes with officers and counter-protesters. 26 police officers were injured, and 25 arrests were made.

• The event highlights the growing visibility and scale of far-right mobilisation in the UK, linking domestic movements with international networks, and demonstrates the operational challenges for authorities in managing large-scale demonstrations.

• Online amplification of attendance claims and messaging suggests continued efforts to build momentum for future rallies, while counter-protests remain a focal point of opposition.

Tommy Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ Rally and Counter-Protest

On 13 September 2025, London witnessed one of the largest far-right-affiliated demonstrations in recent UK history with the “Unite the Kingdom” rally organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Police estimated attendance between 110,000 and 150,000 people, though organisers claimed millions. The rally was centred on Whitehall and Parliament Square, with crowds spilling onto surrounding streets, including Westminster Bridge and Victoria Embankment, creating significant congestion. A stage was erected on Whitehall where Robinson and over twenty UK and international speakers delivered speeches promoting anti-immigration, anti-Islam, and Christian nationalist narratives.

Key figures at the rally included Tommy Robinson himself, the organiser, a British far-right activist who founded the English Defence League (EDL) and later worked with Rebel News, focusing on anti-Islam and anti-immigration campaigns. UK personalities included Laurence Fox, an actor and political commentator known for promoting nationalist and anti-“woke” views; Katie Hopkins, a media personality notorious for provocative far-right commentary; and Ben Habib, leader of the right-wing Advance UK party and former co-deputy leader of Reform UK, advocating for conservative Christian values and anti-immigration policies. Former SAS soldier Ant Middleton also spoke, announcing his candidacy for London Mayor in 2028 and emphasising British cultural identity.

International speakers reinforced the rally’s transnational dimension. Éric Zemmour, a French far-right politician and former presidential candidate, promoted the “Great Replacement” theory and anti-Islam rhetoric. Petr Bystron, a German politician associated with nationalist movements, spoke on immigration and European identity. Philip Dewinter, from Belgium, has a long history in far-right politics, advocating against Islam in Europe. Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch commentator, is known for her far-right, anti-immigration activism and promotion of the “Generation Remigration” movement. Elon Musk, the American entrepreneur and owner of X (formerly Twitter), appeared via video link, calling for parliamentary dissolution and warning of impending violence, amplifying tensions. Additional UK far-right figures included former Reform UK affiliates, YouTubers, and activists from groups like Britain First.

The speeches broadly combined Christian nationalist rhetoric, anti-immigration messaging, and conspiracy theories, with frequent references to the recent assassination of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Themes included opposition to Islam, calls for the “remigration” of migrants, and warnings of societal “replacement” in the UK and Europe, reflecting both domestic and international far-right narratives.

Tensions escalated as large crowds ignored police directions, attempting to push through barriers into areas occupied by counter-protesters organised by Stand Up To Racism. Disorder included assaults on officers with punches, kicks, bottles, flares, and other projectiles, prompting police to deploy horses, dogs, shields, and officers in full protective gear. In total, 26 officers were injured, including four seriously, and 25 arrests were made for offences such as violent disorder, affray, assault, and criminal damage. Incidents of individuals climbing scaffolding and fencing posed additional risks to both participants and bystanders. Disorder was concentrated in Whitehall, Northumberland Avenue, Craven Street, and Horse Guards Avenue.

The Stand Up To Racism counter-protest drew an estimated 5,000 attendees, who marched from Russell Square to the northern end of Whitehall, holding placards with messages such as “Refugees Welcome” and chanting slogans like “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.” Speakers included Independent MP Diane Abbott and Labour MP Zarah Sultana, condemning Robinson’s movement as racist and divisive. The Metropolitan Police deployed over 1,600 officers, including 500 from other UK forces, and established a sterile zone to separate the two groups, praising the majority of participants for lawful protest while condemning the violence and pledging further investigations.

The event underscores the growing scale and visibility of far-right mobilisation in the UK, linking domestic movements with broader European and North American far-right networks. The combination of street protest and religious overtones, including Christian nationalist rhetoric and public prayers, highlights the evolving ideological framing of Robinson’s activism. Violence and disorder demonstrate the operational challenges of policing mass gatherings of this nature, particularly when counter-protests are present. Meanwhile, organisers’ claims of millions in attendance, amplified online, illustrate efforts to build momentum and morale for the movement, suggesting the potential for future large-scale rallies and further confrontations.

While the counter-protest remained significantly smaller, it played a critical role in highlighting opposition to Robinson’s movement, reinforcing the likelihood of clashes at future events. Overall, the 13 September 2025 rally represents a pivotal moment in UK politics and public life, revealing both the growing influence of far-right networks and the continuing challenges faced by authorities in managing large-scale, ideologically charged protests.