PM condemns violence against police and ‘intimidation’ of minorities as Elon Musk tells protesters ‘you either fight back or you die’
Britain will “never surrender” to far-right protesters who use the flag as cover for violence and to instil fear, Sir Keir Starmer has declared, following one of the largest nationalist demonstrations in decades that saw up to 150,000 people march through London.
The Prime Minister condemned attacks against police officers and the racist intimidation of minorities at Saturday’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
In his first comment on the march, Starmer told the Guardian that whilst peaceful protest was a core British value, he would not tolerate violence or people being “intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin.”
“Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect,” the Prime Minister said in a statement. “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.”
Musk Calls for Government Overthrow
The intervention came after billionaire X owner Elon Musk addressed the crowd via video link, telling protesters that “violence is coming” and that “you either fight back or you die.
In extraordinary comments, the Tesla CEO called for the immediate dissolution of Parliament, saying: “I really think that there’s got to be a change of government in Britain. You can’t – we don’t have another four years, or whenever the next election is, it’s too long. Something’s got to be done. There’s got to be a dissolution of parliament and a new vote held.”
Musk, who has repeatedly intervened in British politics, claimed the BBC was “complicit in the destruction of Britain” and warned of the country’s demise through “massive uncontrolled migration.
Metropolitan Police estimated between 110,000 and 150,000 people attended the demonstration, far exceeding expectations and making it one of the largest far-right gatherings in recent British history. At one point, the crowd stretched from Big Ben across the River Thames to beyond Waterloo station.
Violence Erupts as Officers Injured
What began as a largely peaceful demonstration descended into violence as the afternoon wore on, with 26 police officers injured – four seriously. The injuries included broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a concussion, a prolapsed disc and a head injury.
Officers were punched, kicked and struck by bottles as Robinson supporters attempted to breach police lines separating them from a counter-demonstration of approximately 5,000 anti-racism protesters organised by Stand Up To Racism.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence. They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe.”
At least 25 people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault and criminal damage. Police warned this was “just the start” and that those involved in disorder could expect “robust police action in the coming days and weeks.
A man who called on camera for Starmer to be “assassinated” and said “someone needs to shoot Keir Starmer” is among those being sought by police after the comments were published online.
Charlie Kirk Tribute Amid Political Rhetoric
The rally featured tributes to Charlie Kirk, the American conservative activist who was shot dead at Utah Valley University earlier in the week. Robinson led a moment of silence followed by a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace,” with protesters holding signs reading “Freedom of speech is dead. RIP Charlie Kirk.”
Robinson told the crowd Kirk was “a man who inspired a generation of young men based on courage and based on faith,” whilst Musk described the killing as evidence that “the left is the party of murder and celebrating murder.
Demonstrators carried Union flags, St George’s crosses, and flags from the United States and Israel. Many attached photos of Kirk to their placards alongside slogans attacking Starmer and messages calling to “stop the boats.
International Far-Right Coalition
The event drew speakers from across Europe’s far-right movement, including French politician Eric Zemmour, who promoted the white nationalist “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory.
“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,” Zemmour told the crowd. “You and we are being colonised by our former colonies.”
Petr Bystron of Germany’s anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party also addressed the rally, alongside former Reform UK deputy leader Ben Habib, who is establishing a rival party called Advance UK, which Robinson claims to have joined.
Notable absences included Steve Bannon, Donald Trump’s former strategist, and Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, both of whom had been billed as speakers but failed to appear.
Labour Concerns Over Response
Starmer’s forthright comments may settle nerves within Labour, where there had been growing concern that the Prime Minister had not done enough to counter attacks from the right.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle had earlier stopped short of condemning the protests, calling them a “klaxon call” for the government and saying figures like Robinson were able to “touch into a sense of disquiet and grievance in the community.
This prompted criticism from Labour MP Stella Creasy, who tweeted: “In spirit of free speech I disagree with Peter Kyle – we can defend right of people to protest and still be concerned that for many watching yesterday purpose behind this event is not freedom but fear.
The anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate had written to the Prime Minister ahead of the march asking for public condemnation of growing racist rhetoric, echoed by senior MPs who said Labour had a duty to counter right-wing extremism.
Police Operation and Home Secretary Response
More than 1,600 officers were deployed across London, with 500 brought in from other forces to manage the demonstrations and keep rival groups apart. The operation included mounted police and riot officers who were rushed in as reinforcements when violence erupted.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned “those who have attacked and injured police officers” and insisted that “anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for cross-party condemnation of the violence, saying: “Elon Musk openly called for violence on our streets yesterday. I hope politicians from all parties come together to condemn his deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric. Britain must stand united against this clear attempt to undermine our democracy.”
Robinson’s Rising Influence
The march demonstrated Robinson’s continued influence within Britain’s far-right movement, despite various legal troubles including previous jail terms for assault, mortgage fraud, and contempt of court.
His profile has surged since his X account was reinstated in November 2023 following Musk’s purchase of the platform. Robinson had been unable to attend a similar rally last October after being jailed for violating a court order barring him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee.
Robinson, who founded the anti-Islam English Defence League, told the crowd that migrants now had more rights in court than “the British public, the people that built this nation.
Political Context
The demonstration comes as Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, establishes itself as a significant political force, with recent polls suggesting it would be Britain’s largest party if an election were held today.
The rally also follows a summer of anti-migrant protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, sparked by the arrest of an Ethiopian man later convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Starmer’s pledge to never surrender the flag echoes his St George’s Day comments earlier this year, when he warned of a “never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents” against those trying to “sow division in our communities.
The Prime Minister’s statement represents a clear attempt to reclaim patriotic symbols from the far-right whilst maintaining Labour’s commitment to diversity and tolerance – a balancing act that will likely define his approach to rising nationalist sentiment across Britain.
As investigations continue and more arrests are expected, the scale and violence of Saturday’s demonstration has reignited debates about free speech, immigration, and the growing influence of international far-right networks in British politics.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
Image Credit:
Keir Starmer gives a press statement (21 January 2025) — photo by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street, OGL 3.0.
