On Saturday, September 14, 2025, central London witnessed one of the largest far-right rallies in recent British history, as more than 110,000 people—by some police estimates, up to 150,000—converged for the “Unite the Kingdom” march led by Tommy Robinson. The turnout, stretching nearly a kilometer from Big Ben across the River Thames and beyond Waterloo station, stunned observers and underscored the deep divisions running through the United Kingdom on issues of immigration, identity, and free speech.
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has long been a polarizing figure in British public life. At 42, he boasts a string of criminal convictions, including contempt of court, assault, and mortgage fraud, as reported by France 24 and OPB. Over the years, Robinson has amassed a sizable online following and has become synonymous with fervent anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant activism, notably as the founder of the nationalist and anti-Islam English Defense League.
The rally’s stated aim was to champion free speech, but the rhetoric from the stage and among the crowd was unmistakably anti-migrant. Many participants waved St. George’s flags and union jacks, chanting slogans like “we want our country back.” Signs reading “stop the boats,” “send them home,” and “enough is enough, save our children” were visible throughout the sea of flags, according to OPB. The event also drew far-right politicians from across Europe, including French nationalist Eric Zemmour, who declared, “We are both subject to the same process of the great replacement of our European people by peoples coming from the south and of Muslim culture, you and we are being colonized by our former colonies.”
In a move that raised eyebrows, Tesla CEO and X platform owner Elon Musk addressed the rally via video link, criticizing the left-leaning U.K. government. “There’s something beautiful about being British and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion, but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration,” Musk stated, according to OPB.
Robinson himself, his voice hoarse, told the crowd that migrants now had more rights in court than “the British public, the people that built this nation.” His speech, and the event as a whole, came against a backdrop of mounting tensions in the U.K. over unauthorized Channel crossings and recent anti-migrant protests—some of which turned violent—outside hotels housing asylum-seekers. The rally also paid tribute to slain U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with speakers leading a moment of silence and a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.” Signs in the crowd read, “Freedom of speech is dead. RIP Charlie Kirk.”
But the day was far from peaceful. A counterprotest, organized by Stand Up To Racism and dubbed the “March Against Fascism,” drew about 5,000 participants. These counterprotesters carried signs saying “refugees welcome” and “smash the far right,” and chanted “stand up, fight back.” Tensions between the two groups escalated as the afternoon wore on. According to the Metropolitan Police, more than 1,000 officers were deployed, but clashes broke out as some Robinson supporters tried to breach police cordons separating them from the rival protest. Bottles and other objects were hurled at officers, and several were punched and kicked.
By the end of the day, at least 26 police officers had been injured—four seriously, suffering broken teeth, a concussion, a possible broken nose, and a spinal injury. Police reported at least 25 arrests for offenses ranging from violent disorder to assault and criminal damage, with investigations ongoing. “There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence,” said Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, as quoted by OPB. “They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe.”
The violence and scale of the rally prompted swift condemnation from political leaders. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, addressing the nation on Sunday, said that Britain would not tolerate people feeling intimidated “because of their background or the colour of their skin.” He also condemned the attacks on police, making it clear that such behavior had no place in British society. According to France 24, Starmer’s remarks were his first public comments following Saturday’s events and were aimed at reassuring both the public and minority communities.
Even within the right-wing political sphere, Robinson’s activism is seen as extreme. Far-right populist Nigel Farage, himself no stranger to controversy, has described Robinson as “too fringe,” according to France 24. This sentiment reflects a broader discomfort among some on the right regarding Robinson’s tactics and rhetoric, which have often spilled over into violence and criminality.
The rally’s size and fervor, however, point to a growing sense of grievance among segments of the British public, particularly over migration and national identity. The proliferation of U.K. flags this summer—at events, on village lampposts, and now at massive rallies—has been interpreted by some as a resurgence of national pride, but by others as a worrying tilt toward exclusionary nationalism. The debate over migration has only intensified as the U.K. grapples with the arrival of thousands of asylum-seekers, often in overcrowded boats, and a series of high-profile crimes involving migrants have fueled anti-immigrant sentiment.
Yet, for all its size, the “Unite the Kingdom” rally was not the largest in recent memory. In November 2023, a pro-Palestinian march drew an estimated 300,000 participants to London, a reminder that the capital remains a battleground for competing visions of Britain’s future. Still, the events of September 14, 2025, have left an indelible mark on the city and the country, raising urgent questions about the limits of free speech, the responsibilities of protest leaders, and the challenge of maintaining public order amid deepening polarization.
As the dust settles, what’s clear is that Tommy Robinson—despite his criminal record and reputation as an extremist—continues to command a significant following. His ability to draw tens of thousands into the streets, and to attract the attention of global figures like Elon Musk, signals that the forces he represents are unlikely to fade quietly. Meanwhile, Britain’s leaders, police, and civil society are left to reckon with the aftermath, seeking a path forward that balances the right to protest with the imperative to keep all communities safe.
The events in London have reignited debates over who gets to define Britishness, who speaks for the nation, and how to confront the specter of violence at mass gatherings. In a country still searching for unity, the answers are proving as elusive as ever.
