‘Won’t Surrender to Far-Right’: PM Keir Starmer on London Anti-Immigration Rally

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a defiant response on Sunday following a massive anti-immigration rally in London, declaring that Britain would “never surrender” to far-right demonstrators who he said were using the national flag as a cover for violence . His statement came a day after more than 100,000 protesters, led by activist Tommy Robinson, clashed with police in one of the largest right-wing gatherings the country has seen in years .

Condemning the attacks on law enforcement, which left 26 officers injured, Starmer emphasized that the English flag “represents our diverse country” and that he would not tolerate citizens being targeted for their “background or the colour of their skin” . “Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect,” he said in a statement to The Guardian. “Our flag represents our diverse country and we will never surrender it to those that use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division” .

The “Unite the Kingdom” rally on Saturday, billed by organizers as a protest for free speech, was dominated by anti-immigration rhetoric, with marchers chanting slogans like “Stop the boats” and “Send them home” .

The protest turned violent when demonstrators clashed with police and a smaller counter-protest organized by “Stand Up To Racism” . The event featured a video address from billionaire Elon Musk, who called for a “change of government” in the UK, while Robinson and other speakers promoted theories of a “great replacement” of European people .

The rally occurred amid a heated national debate over immigration, particularly the issue of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats . The largely white crowd directed their anger at the Prime Minister, chanting “Keir Starmer’s a wanker” and “Whose street? Our street” . In his response, Starmer acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but drew a firm line against violence and intimidation