Attendance
On September 13, 2025, an estimated 110,000 people participated in a march and rally organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson (legal name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) in central London, branded as the "Unite the Kingdom" free speech festival. The event, which featured speeches by Robinson and international far-right figures, drew crowds draped in English and British flags, with attendees marching across Westminster Bridge and rallying near Downing Street. Concurrently, approximately 5,000 people joined a counter-protest organized by Stand Up To Racism, which marched under the banner of opposing fascism and supporting refugee rights. The Metropolitan Police deployed over 1,000 officers, supplemented by reinforcements from other forces, to manage the events and prevent clashes between the groups.
Participants and Speakers
Robinson's rally included speeches by prominent far-right figures, such as French politician Éric Zemmour, who echoed "great replacement" conspiracy theories, and Elon Musk, who appeared via video link to criticize the UK government's immigration policies and call for the dissolution of Parliament. Other speakers included Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson and German AfD politician Petr Bystron, while former U.S. strategist Steve Bannon was also reportedly scheduled to address the crowd. Attendees expressed concerns over immigration, free speech restrictions, and national identity, with slogans such as "stop the boats" and "we want our country back" featured prominently. The counter-protest, supported by Labour MPs like Diane Abbott, emphasized messages of solidarity with refugees and opposition to racism.
The Rhetoric
The rally focused on anti-immigration sentiment and free speech advocacy, with Robinson claiming that British courts prioritize the rights of undocumented migrants over those of the "local community". Speakers and attendees linked these issues to broader cultural anxieties, citing record levels of immigration and recent debates over gender and trans rights. The counter-protesters criticized Robinson's rhetoric as divisive and misleading, emphasizing the need to support asylum seekers and combat far-right ideologies. References to the recent killing of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk were also observed among rally attendees, with signs paying tribute to him and linking his death to free speech concerns.
Incidents
The events were largely peaceful initially but later saw clashes between police and some rally attendees. The Metropolitan Police reported instances of "unacceptable violence," including officers being assaulted with kicks, punches, bottles, and flares. Nine arrests were made, and police noted that additional offenders had been identified. The counter-protest remained largely separate due to police barriers, though there were attempts by rally attendees to breach cordons. Police used measures including crowd-control fencing and riot reinforcements to maintain order.
Rising Right Beliefs
The demonstrations occur amid rising support for far-right policies in the UK, with Nigel Farage's Reform UK party leading in recent polls. The events also reflect ongoing debates over free speech, particularly following the UK government's banning of Palestine Action in July and arrests of protesters under anti-terror laws. Robinson's resurgence in influence, partly attributed to his reinstatement on X (formerly Twitter) by Elon Musk in 2023, has amplified his reach despite his history of criminal convictions and controversial rhetoric. The scale of the rally, while significant, was noted to be smaller than previous large demonstrations, such as the pro-Palestinian march in November 2023 that drew an estimated 300,000 participants.