Starmer: Britain will not hand over the flag to the far right
NEWS
Express newspaper
15/09/2025 8:10
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared on Sunday that Britain will never surrender to far-right protesters who, as he said, are using the flag as a cover for violence and to sow fear.
Starmer’s statement came after the largest nationalist protest in decades, organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson (real name: Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), which saw clashes and attacks on police. MPs and anti-fascist groups had earlier called for the prime minister to take a clear stance on the violent rhetoric and behaviour at the rally.
In his first reaction to the protests, Starmer stressed the importance of the right to peaceful protest, but condemned racially motivated violence and intimidation.
“People have the right to peaceful protest. It is fundamental to the values of our country,” he said in a statement to The Guardian”But we will not tolerate attacks on police officers doing their job or for people to feel intimidated on our streets because of their background or the color of their skin.”
Starmer added that the British flag will not be allowed to be used as a weapon of division:
“Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect. Our flag represents our diverse country and we will never surrender it to those who use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division.”
According to police, between 110,000 and 150,000 people took part in Saturday’s protest, which was held under the calls of Robinson and was accompanied by nationalist rhetoric and sporadic clashes with police.