British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a statement ahead of far-right agitator Tommy Robinson’s planned Unite the Kingdom march in London tomorrow, framing the event as a struggle over the country’s identity.
“We’re in a fight for the soul of this country, and the Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against,” Starmer said today.
He accused the organisers of “peddling hatred and division, plain and simple”.
The government confirmed that 11 individuals designated as “foreign far-right agitators” have already been barred from entering the UK in connection with the event, including Polish ECR MEP Dominik Tarczyński.
“We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence,” Starmer said.
“For anyone who sets out to wreak havoc on our streets, to intimidate or threaten anyone, you can expect to face the full force of the law,” he added.
He said Britain remained “a country built on decency, fairness and respect”, emphasising what he described as the importance of social cohesion across communities of different backgrounds.
Separately, Starmer released a video message on X, also today, in which he accused some expected attendees of being “convicted thugs” and “racists”, arguing that their objective was to convince turn people against each other.
“Their goal is to convince people that their problems are caused by those living alongside them,” he said.
According to reports, the MET police is set to deploy more than 4,000 officers to police the streets of London tomorrow.
“This is our country,” Starmer concluded, portraying the march as part of a broader “us versus them” confrontation.
I’ll always champion peaceful protest. But the Unite the Kingdom march organisers are peddling hatred and division.
We’ve already blocked visas for far-right agitators who want to come here to spew their extremist views.
They don't speak for the decent, fair, respectful Britain… pic.twitter.com/hdu8kgxHFp
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 15, 2026
The remarks come amid heightened political sensitivity around public order and immigration in Britain.
Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration party, Reform UK, has been gaining political momentum across the country, securing a series of local council victories on May 7.
Robinson today addressed his supporters and the Metropolitan Police in an X video, attempting to calm tension and frame the march as peaceful.
“We are not the enemy,” he said, urging participants not to engage with the police.
Robinson added that there was an alleged institutional expectation of escalation: “They want you to clash. We don’t want to clash.
“If they’re [the government] preparing you for a big battle, we’re not coming for a big battle.”
The Labour Prime Minister’s rhetoric, at a time when his leadership is possibly about to be contested, is likely to place tomorrow’s march under scrutiny.
In addition, tens of thousands of football fans are also expected at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup Final, adding further pressures on the capital’s police.
The Unite the Kingdom march occurs on the same day the annual Nakba Day Palestinian protest takes place in another part of central London.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman told the BBC today he had “significant cause for concern” but the force could not ask for either protest event to be banned.
