‘Unite the Kingdom’ Rally Sparks Fears of Far-Right Normalisation Among Minority Britons

Published: 16 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

The recent “Unite the Kingdom” march in London, organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, has reignited concerns among minority communities that extremist politics is becoming increasingly legitimised in the United Kingdom. Estimates suggest that between 110,000 and 150,000 people attended the rally on 13 September, while counter-protesters numbered approximately 5,000, underscoring the scale of division in public sentiment.

For some Britons who remember previous waves of racial tension, the rally conjured troubling memories of the past. Dabinderjit Singh, a retired senior civil servant, recalled his father’s anti-National Front marches in the 1970s, noting that while those movements then felt marginal, “now, the far right seems legitimised and popular.” His words reflect growing unease among ethnic minority communities that the boundaries of acceptable political discourse may be shifting in ways that embolden extremist voices.

Hetticia McIntosh, 70, a former member of the Windrush generation from Manchester, described receiving community safety warnings via WhatsApp advising ethnic minority travellers to avoid London during the rally. Speaking from personal experience, McIntosh drew parallels to the systemic racism she and her family endured decades ago when the Home Office refused to renew their passports, forcing them into prolonged exile in St Lucia. She warned that the rhetoric emerging from both far-right activists and political discourse could precipitate a new era of exclusion and marginalisation for legal migrants.

While many participants at the rally cited national pride and concerns over immigration, observers note that these public displays have sometimes manifested as hostility toward minority communities. St George’s crosses and Union flags, part of nationwide “raise the colours” campaigns, have occasionally been defaced with racial slurs targeting businesses and places of worship, including mosques, churches, and Asian-owned establishments. Incidents of overt violence have also been reported, such as the assault of a Sikh woman in Oldbury, West Midlands, who was told, “You don’t belong here, get out.”

Robinson sought to position himself as selectively inclusive, praising the contributions of the Sikh community while framing other minorities as problematic. Community leaders, however, see this as a deliberate divide-and-rule strategy, exacerbating tensions between religious and ethnic groups. Singh emphasised that such tactics, combined with mainstream political discourse that often targets migrants, make current times “more worrying, more dangerous” than those he witnessed in the 1970s.

The political backdrop compounds these concerns. Labour’s proposals to extend the qualifying period for settled status from five to ten years for legal, taxpaying skilled migrants, alongside Tory calls to revoke indefinite leave to remain for certain categories of migrants, have contributed to a perception of state-sanctioned exclusion. For many, including McIntosh, these debates echo historical injustices such as the Windrush scandal, underscoring the cyclical nature of prejudice and policy missteps.

Experts on extremism caution that the social conditions enabling far-right movements persist. Nigel Bromage, founder of the counter-extremism organisation Exit Hate, highlighted that economic inequality, social grievances, and a sense of disenfranchisement provide fertile ground for such ideologies. “While the London rally was presented as an inclusive event, it attracted both frustrated citizens and hardcore nationalists seeking to spread their message,” he said.

Community organisations representing ethnic minority groups are also sounding alarms. Representatives of the UK Indian Muslim Council and the British Muslim Trust report that minorities increasingly feel unsafe, citing verbal harassment, targeted abuse, and measures taken by families to avoid public spaces. Akeela Ahmed, chief executive of BMT, described the atmosphere as “deeply concerning,” highlighting the ripple effects of rhetoric and visible displays of far-right ideology on daily life.

For Singh and other community leaders, the concerns extend beyond immediate threats to a broader question of political accountability. “We need leadership that addresses both immigration and racism,” he said, warning that failing to tackle systemic prejudice could erode social cohesion and democratic principles. Anti-racist groups, including the Runnymede Trust, echo this sentiment, highlighting the symbolic resonance of the rally occurring on what would have been Stephen Lawrence’s birthday and warning that “racism kills.”

In the wake of the rally, Labour’s social cohesion initiatives, previously spearheaded by Angela Rayner, remain a key point of discussion. A spokesperson for the communities department reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating racism and fostering dialogue between communities, noting that work on the social cohesion taskforce will continue under the prime minister’s oversight.

As the UK grapples with these complex dynamics, Saturday’s rally serves as a stark reminder that far-right politics, once considered marginal, is increasingly visible and capable of influencing public discourse. For minority communities, the echoes of the past resonate uncomfortably with present realities, highlighting the urgent need for policies and leadership that safeguard inclusivity and equality.