Your description of the scene is chilling. You're right - it is a battle for Britain's soul. I'm a Londoner born to an English father and Singaporean mother. During my own lifetime I've seen Britain become a more tolerant, diverse society - seeing the pendulum swing back so abruptly is horrifying and must be resisted.
I think a lot of it went underground, Jenny. Shariq saw a marked difference after the Brexit vote - it became so overt, as though people felt they had licence to be racist - that he honestly was left feeling he’d been lulled into a false sense of security for a few years. He now talks about changing Adam’s surname from Ali to Phipps as he thinks Ali will hold him back. I struggle to accept that this is where we are in 2025.
I do think Britain had progressed from what I saw as a child - but am not saying that racism disappeared. The human urge to 'other' is very deep -sadly. Yes, indeed.
Truly frightening Ian, but the most frightening thing you said was this:
"That means proudly making the case for diversity and openness. It means that we must make that case without embarrassment or apology, without equivocating or whimpering about how we’re metropolitan elitists for doing so. The government is unwilling to do it, so it will be up to us to do it instead"
How can a Labour Government be unwilling to make the case for diversity and openness? Don't get me wrong... I agree with you. But how the fuck did this happen?
I doubt it will make any difference, but can someone start a petition to have all UK Public bodies remove themselves from X - including the UK Government and the BBC. What Musk said at the rally was a direct attack on the UK Government. A government, we the people elected - and therefore an attack on the UK electorate. I should add: I say "we the people", as someone who voted Green, but supports democracy - 100%
I think you are missing the point maybe. You can be right wing and not be a fascist. We are not talking about being right wing at this point. We are talking about the kind of extremism that Elon Musk is promoting. The government is a disappointment, but they are not actually complicit in what what is happening.
I think they are complicit, they allow it, kowtow to it. Do nothing about it while they have the reins of power. Why for instance has the Labour Gov not sorted out the Board of the BBC, introduced legislation about foreign mogul ownership of major newspapers, & in general checked the power of increasingly extreme online media? Can’t get my head around the timidity & hesitancy
I agree. Right-wing media platforms brought a minority together so it looks like a popular uprising. They are the biggest threat, not angry young men without a cause (they have always been there).
I’m not saying it shouldn’t be done, but I’m not quite sure how you think all of that could be sorted out within the first 12 months. It all requires parliamentary time and there is a limit on the amount. There is already the heaviest load of Parliamentary bills going through since after the war I believe.
There’s no point in doing a good job if it is then portrayed in the media as a poor one. Media ownership is the highest priority for the right, so it should also be for the left.
Fair point. I think, and yet another example of poor judgment, Starmer said he wouldn’t pursue reform in the hope that he could keep the press on side. He might just as well, I’ve done it!
I think they are. Every time they stand up and do things that would've made a tory blush ("I have loads of these flags hanging up at home! Look!") they pander more to these ignorant people. And don't forget that the Met police are only slightly removed from the political process - if the PM told them to stop enforcing laws "perfectly neutrally" on the left (Palestine Action) and not bothering so much on the right (National Action) then we would've seen far more arrested at this march than last week. But no. As usual, it's easy to arrest pensioners and leave the fash alone "to not inflame the situation".
The centrists would, in fact do, prefer a hard right Gov to anything vaguely left wing. They’d rather have Reform in power than the Greens or Your Party. They’ve been captured by Corporatism and will reflect their wishes over their members or voters. This is partly how we have ended up where we are. Labour are in power, they can, should be in the front line fighting for fairness. Instead we get anti immigrant rhetoric almost daily.
Your implicit claim that criticism of the government is an attack on democracy is basically totalitarian. In fact, the reverse is true. Criticism of the government is a core feature of a democracy. The claim that a government is beyond criticism because they represent “the people” is a hall mark of a dictatorship.
It wasn't an "implicit claim" about criticism of the government. I used the word "attack", not "criticism" - and I meant "attack". So, please don't fake-guess what I'm implying. Just read what I'm saying.
And if you had actually read my post, you would have quite clearly seen, I criticised the government. Here it is: "How can a Labour Government be unwilling to make the case for diversity and openness? Don't get me wrong... I agree with you. But how the fuck did this happen?" So there you go... I'm OK with people criticising the government.
And whilst I'm here... your "implicit defence" of Musk's shit-stirring, race-hating, speech was pretty limp. Why don't you actually say something concrete, rather than try to distort what other people are implying?
Thanks for reporting on this, Ian. The coverage of this has veered towards the "look at the strength of feeling on this important issue" rather than "look at these violent pissed up, coked up, hate filled fascists who don't know the difference between the St George flag and the flag of Georgia". I don't remember the same level of coverage being given to the trans pride march in July, which was the same size. Currently feeling as though we're being herded into the slaughterhouse of right wing authoritarianism by a complicit media establishment, sleepwalking our way into fascism.
Wonderful writing, to which any comments of mine could not do justice. Your passion and thoughtfulness really comes through.
Last night I went to a magnificent performance of To Kill A Mockingbird at Leeds Playhouse. A decade ago it would have felt to me to be a period piece about a dark past in a foreign land. And now look where we are, as you so eloquently write. I’m sure the vast majority of last night’s audience will have felt similar terrible resonance.
I was fortunate to see it in London with Rafe Spall, but there were several older people who walked out visibly offended-after maybe 15 minutes. It's literally there when you book your tickets about the language. Who goes to a play they know absolutely nothing about? 🙄
A haunting scene beautifully described as usual. It exactly echoed the experience of my son and his partner ( a woman of colour). She runs an organisation supporting young new actors mostly from minorities and they were holding a celebratory event yesterday afternoon at the NFT. A diverse group of actors, producers and supporters had to make their way through that same crowd. Thankfully without incident but the fear was intense and the contrast between their values and hopes and those of the fascist marchers was so stark. Ian is right: we cannot rely on this government the time to stand up for our values is now.
Just the previous week the Southbank played host to We Should Never Have Walked on the Moon, a dance takeover of the Southbank Centre & RFH. The centrepiece, sited around a car outside the SC, involved diverse performers playing protesters spray-painting graffiti squaring up to the authorities. Staged by a French company it featured several amateur Brits alongside more experienced dancers.
As well as paying punters, passers-by got a glimpse of the spectacle for free. Some gave it a quick look and moved on, others stuck around to see how it would unfold. Tourists, Friday night post-work drinkers, families, people on their way to dinner or a show - all stumbled on something unexpected and provocative to add some colour to their evenings. Some would have thought it magical, others dull and didactic - both totally valid responses. It summed up for me what makes cities and areas like this so special.
"Britain is not a racist country. The people on that march do not understand the flag they wave or what it represents. Eventually, it will defeat them." I hope you are right in this, and I know you are right in saying it's up to us to fight back now - a silent majority no longer quiet.
100% this. silence is how these people consolidate power. Only trouble is that being anti-fascist these days automatically puts you in the 'dangerous extremist' category. Best method of ensuring silence is fear.
You are so right and on point, Ian. We attended that protest and as a Londoner, I have never felt fear moving around my city. It was much safer being part of a crowd. We had to plan our route home which we left as we witnessed The Quakers being harassed by thugs.
We all must take a stand as we head into the future. We should all be fighting back for the good of all, including those who have no idea about the flag and what they say. As a woman of African-Caribbean heritage married to a white man, there is no other path to tread.
The challenge here is to understand that these mainly white working class men have had their careers in home care for the elderly, agricultural labouring and NHS portering denied to them by immigrants. They cannot go to their local church anymore because Muslims. Their charity work amongst the homeless and disadvantaged among us has been tainted with cries of 'woke' so they can't do that no more. They were planning to help out at their local food bank until they suddenly realised that the streets of Britain needed adorning with cheap nylon flags from China. When not engaged in this important work, they like to shout fascist slogans and occasionally throw sharp objects at those in authority - they find this therapeutic - who wants to deny them that. The vast majority of them at home are loving fathers and kind to their partners, constantly loading the dishwasher and changing the beds. That GBH conviction was a stitch up by the wife's mother and her leftie boyfriend and had absolutely no connection whatsoever to the WhatsApp group where they share extreme porn images. They're all teetotal as well. Probably.
Well you know that, and I know that, but the point is that the protests are largely about jobs under taken by natives are being taken by foreigners. Jobs as you say they don’t want to do. Interestingly in the US certain industries are struggling to recruit Americans who will and can do the jobs normally carried out by foreigners.
I'm always amazed at how people will accept propaganda at face value if it suits their personal bigotry. Just as the toilet police have no evidence of any danger from genuine trans women to women, the evidence of aggression by trans women is only presented by people who have strong views against trans women themselves. I mean perish the thought they could be telling the odd self serving porky? Its also interesting to note that whenever a TERF wins a tribunal case, its splashed all over the news, as proof that trans people are being put in their place, or have a persecution complex. What the same papers don't do, is point out the numerous, and far outweighing the losses, tribunals won by trans women. Wonder why eh?
Go on then. Which bit of "reality" is denying the existence of trans people? I know most people feel far safer surrounded by trans people than racists.
I’m not a trans activist. Never have been, never will be. If people obsess over who is going to public toilets, they get called toilet police, its as simple as that. How what goes? You buy into proven, by you know, facts, nonsense that plays to your bigotry, while others prefer to actually check what is really going on. That’s not buying into ‘propaganda’ its common sense, something bigots totally lack in their desire to persecute others. Still, I suppose if you have nothing meaningful in your life, hate, bigotry and persecuting others fills a hole…
Great, urgent, necessary writing as always. Thinking about this bit:
"Over the months and years to come, we will have to fight for our values like never before. That means proudly making the case for diversity and openness. It means that we must make that case without embarrassment or apology, without equivocating or whimpering about how we’re metropolitan elitists for doing so. The government is unwilling to do it, so it will be up to us to do it instead - whether we are on the right or left or centre, whether we are naturally activist or rather resigned, regardless of our temperament or inclination. But it will also mean that we stand with those who would be targeted. Thinking practically, speaking openly, ensuring they are safe and protected. It will be an exercise in solidarity. And it is through that solidarity that we will show our values and the failure of racism."
I can see easily how this applies to people with a platform like yours. Just writing this piece is already a beginning of your contribution to this fight. But I'm feeling a bit lost as to what this means in practice for people without a media profile. A genuine question asked in admiration, Ian.
This is just a starter but I think people regularly underestimate the effect of simply talking in daily life: to co-workers, to uncles, to the father-in-law, to friends online. Social norms are maintained by millions of individual action every day. Needless to say, people should be writing to their MP and the BBC, particularly on the use of X by government and journalists. And then there's local organising, or operating within a local political party, helping refugee support groups, backing anti-racist groups etc.
Well said Ian 👍🏻 Here in Australia we have our own racism problem . The recent Referendum, asking should Aboriginal people have a voice in Parliament received a resounding NO vote . The Labor government has just set up what amounts to a penal colony on the tiny dot of an island in the Pacific , Nauru , for those asylum seekers and refugees they want rid of .
With the dam of anti democratic repression breaking good luck with persuading the indigenous population that what they really need is a lot more immigration from cultures that bear no relation to their own in order that the State can then play favours with the new arrivals
Thank you for commenting John, I do enjoy your posts. They are, as are all the right wingers posting here, proof of something I’ve argued for years, that its utterly pointless discussing issues with those on the right, in particular the hard and far right. This is because every single post, by every single right winger is the same, long on bile, short on reality, and follow a wearying pattern.
First, the total rebuttal of facts. Be it science, the anti vaxxer movement being increasingly right wing in its bent, be it hard data regards race, religion, immigration or the economy, the right just don’t want to know. I know, I tried for years presenting hard, irrefutable evidence, only for it to be ignored in favour of ‘my information shows otherwise’, even though, when requested, that information was never, ever, forthcoming. Then we have that other old fave, ‘I’ll go with my gut thanks’. Ah yes, gut feeling v reality, a no brainer for gut feeling there eh?
The other great trait, is the old, time honoured victim complex. ‘Our views are being suppressed’ either by the establishment (as argued by the NSDAP, Mosely, the NF, the BNP and so it goes wearily on…) an elusive ‘liberal left’ or, the now famous, but wearily overused by plodding right wing talking heads, ‘woke liberals’. In a way its sad, in others rather pathetic. In the UK, bar two media outlets, the rest are right wing, and four are often hard to far right with their anti-immigrant, bigoted rhetoric. Sky news has been criticised for being less than impartial, the BBC, now run by Ex Tory advisors and Tory supporters, is now openly supportive of Reform, and recently admitted that was their aim – ‘to be more attractive to Reform voters’. So, sod the rest of us then!
But here’s the thing, in my adult lifetime, we have never, ever, had a socialist, or left liberal govt. They have all, bar a short burst of Tony the Teeths ‘wet’ Conservatism, and the current right wing shower, all been Conservative. The UK establishment itself, which often crosses over into the Conservative party is right wing. There has never been a period when the elusive ‘left wing’ has dominated our political scene. Yes, some bodies try and reflect the reality of our history, our politics and our relationship with newcomers, but woe is them if they dare to cross the right wings view of what should be portrayed! What the real problem is, is that right wing voters have put endless Conservative govts in, they’ve failed to deliver, and left the country in a mess, now, being the moral cowards they are, the right cannot accept responsibility for their actions. If they want someone to man up – look in the mirror.
The nonsense the right spouts, again, without any basis in fact, consists purely of Chinese whispers, but the very fact they take root as ‘fact’ shows that people are not ‘just concerned’, no, they are quite happy to unquestioningly accept utter rubbish – because it plays to existing prejudices. For example, ‘unlimited immigration’. This is pure gibberish. Every Immigration act since 1945, regardless of party, has restricted immigration. Then we have the ‘great replacement’ theory, spouted by, well, deny it ‘til the cows come home, racists. Why? Because it’s a purely racial theory based on the fiction that a tiny minority of people can overwhelm a massive majority. The fact that’s never happened in history without the massacre of the native population as in the USA and Australia, is of course deemed irrelevant.
Then we have the drivel about ‘special privileges’ for migrants. I could, but seeing as it will, as ever, be ignored, link to every govt, and outside bodies information on what Asylum seekers, Refugees, and migrants are entitled to. Which, is actually not very much, and certainly is not ‘putting them ahead of the ‘native’ population’. Here we can have an example of the nonsense Chinese whispers; in my outlaws former town, it was claimed that the (then) new estate was going to be solely for housing Asylum seekers. Everyone accepted it as fact, got on their high horse, and arguing did no good whatsoever. In fact, not one single house was used for Asylum seekers, all were sold privately, and in all likelihood, the rumour was spread by the developers to distract from not one single house being earmarked for social housing. Yes, that’s how much of a sucker right wingers are.
The tragedy of it all is, that these truly daft people are locking themselves into a trap. They voted Tory, and all they delivered is an underfunded mess, and spent the whole time blaming everyone but themselves. ‘It’s the disabled fault’, ‘the civil servants’, ‘the unions’, ‘the liberals/PC/Woke’ and of course immigrants. It couldn’t be that using economic and social theory that’s long been discredited as utter garbage, even by conservative economists, might have led us to this pass? Perish the thought. With Labour playing into the rights hands on a daily basis, alienating their entire voting base with a rapid rate of knots, the Tories finally facing the cold reality of forty (a hundred?) years of epic failure, who are the right turning to?
Nigel Farage. And what does Nigel Farage believe in? Cuts, crushing the Unions and working class peoples rights, de-regulation, blaming the disabled, poorest off, and migrants, privatisation, ending the NHS, and de-regulating the same bastards who tanked the global economy in 2008. In other words, the same useless shit the right voted for with the Tories. Some people it seems, really do never learn…
Well, I’ll leave it there John, thank you for your contributions, I look forward to the inevitable more of the same. As for me, I’m tired of listening to the same old bollocks I heard working in the building trade in the late 70’s and early 80’s, immigrants this, that, and the other, from the same ill informed, bigoted people. The old saying is right, ‘not everyone that hates immigrants is a racist, but all racists hate immigrants’.
Bye, and enjoy ignoring my last response to the never ending blame game. Enough is enough. Banging your head on a brick wall for forty plus years has taken its toll.
Thanks, Neil. I get you think the right are denialists but that cuts both ways. At the extremes right tends to stick with its instinctive reactions to things whereas progressives tend to suppress those instincts often for pro social reasons. Progressives are right about certain things eg greater tolerance is a good thing in the right measure. In a town of 10,000 it is far better to welcome as one’s own the single family from a foreign culture. However if that family is a pathway to the town ceasing to be identifiably English (Savile Town at the extreme end of things) then I think progressive acceptance becomes a pathological response. Those on the left still living on a diet of innumerate outdated bromides don’t seem to accept this. Nor do they accept that mass migration has been profoundly anti democratic.
The egoic/ defensive nature of your response indicates you’re not as caring as you like to imagine and so the suggestion that you mostly merely pretend to care remains live. I’m not saying you don’t care a bit but that in reality most of it is about you and an online performance/ sense of identity. Whereas In the real world you do very little. Like most progressives you will not walk what is inferred by your talk.
Even before they got to London, they had a victory. People of colour told each other to stay at home. There was speculation: could the threat extend beyond Central London? There were people with flags on the tube: how far were they going? It's comforting to think that all the far-right marchers were from outside London, but is it true? Just by holding one rally these people bring in a threat that we've never had to consider, not on this scale.
I was in Surbiton yesterday afternoon and saw a group of 4 of them getting on a bus there. It's probably a good thing they didn't hear me call them 'twats'...
I live in Waterloo though, and all my neighbours stayed home. They didn't want to get caught up in it. It was all everyone was talking about in the WhatsApp groups.
Wandered past this pathetic gaggle of provincial sex offenders a couple of times yesterday. One very drunk man in hideous red crocs, failing to read the tube map at South Ken and being studiously ignored by staff. A handful of sweaty nonces and tax dodgers at Embankment. One looked up sharply as I muttered “Fucking fucking Nazi fucking nonces, fucking flag shagging fascist fucking paedophiles every fucking where.” He didn’t have time to start anything, probably because it was too many syllables for his ratbrain.
Felt incredibly relevant to me both that those who eventually managed to find the northern line were stared at by the entire carriage like the shit on a shoe they are, and that they all got off at Euston. Presumably to go back where they came from.
Arrest the lot of them under the public order act 1986. Every. Last. One.
Really struggling to understand Peter Kyle's spineless response on the media rounds this morning. Yes, free speech, blah, blah, but no actual condemnation (or even criticism) of the actual speech. These dogs will not lie down and go away if we are quiet.
Your description of the scene is chilling. You're right - it is a battle for Britain's soul. I'm a Londoner born to an English father and Singaporean mother. During my own lifetime I've seen Britain become a more tolerant, diverse society - seeing the pendulum swing back so abruptly is horrifying and must be resisted.
I think a lot of it went underground, Jenny. Shariq saw a marked difference after the Brexit vote - it became so overt, as though people felt they had licence to be racist - that he honestly was left feeling he’d been lulled into a false sense of security for a few years. He now talks about changing Adam’s surname from Ali to Phipps as he thinks Ali will hold him back. I struggle to accept that this is where we are in 2025.
I do think Britain had progressed from what I saw as a child - but am not saying that racism disappeared. The human urge to 'other' is very deep -sadly. Yes, indeed.
Truly frightening Ian, but the most frightening thing you said was this:
"That means proudly making the case for diversity and openness. It means that we must make that case without embarrassment or apology, without equivocating or whimpering about how we’re metropolitan elitists for doing so. The government is unwilling to do it, so it will be up to us to do it instead"
How can a Labour Government be unwilling to make the case for diversity and openness? Don't get me wrong... I agree with you. But how the fuck did this happen?
I doubt it will make any difference, but can someone start a petition to have all UK Public bodies remove themselves from X - including the UK Government and the BBC. What Musk said at the rally was a direct attack on the UK Government. A government, we the people elected - and therefore an attack on the UK electorate. I should add: I say "we the people", as someone who voted Green, but supports democracy - 100%
The Labour Party has been captured by the Establishment. Which is instinctively right wing.
I think you are missing the point maybe. You can be right wing and not be a fascist. We are not talking about being right wing at this point. We are talking about the kind of extremism that Elon Musk is promoting. The government is a disappointment, but they are not actually complicit in what what is happening.
I think they are complicit, they allow it, kowtow to it. Do nothing about it while they have the reins of power. Why for instance has the Labour Gov not sorted out the Board of the BBC, introduced legislation about foreign mogul ownership of major newspapers, & in general checked the power of increasingly extreme online media? Can’t get my head around the timidity & hesitancy
I agree. Right-wing media platforms brought a minority together so it looks like a popular uprising. They are the biggest threat, not angry young men without a cause (they have always been there).
I’m not saying it shouldn’t be done, but I’m not quite sure how you think all of that could be sorted out within the first 12 months. It all requires parliamentary time and there is a limit on the amount. There is already the heaviest load of Parliamentary bills going through since after the war I believe.
There’s no point in doing a good job if it is then portrayed in the media as a poor one. Media ownership is the highest priority for the right, so it should also be for the left.
Fair point. I think, and yet another example of poor judgment, Starmer said he wouldn’t pursue reform in the hope that he could keep the press on side. He might just as well, I’ve done it!
I think they are. Every time they stand up and do things that would've made a tory blush ("I have loads of these flags hanging up at home! Look!") they pander more to these ignorant people. And don't forget that the Met police are only slightly removed from the political process - if the PM told them to stop enforcing laws "perfectly neutrally" on the left (Palestine Action) and not bothering so much on the right (National Action) then we would've seen far more arrested at this march than last week. But no. As usual, it's easy to arrest pensioners and leave the fash alone "to not inflame the situation".
That’s true but the right also allows fascists to get into power.
The centrists would, in fact do, prefer a hard right Gov to anything vaguely left wing. They’d rather have Reform in power than the Greens or Your Party. They’ve been captured by Corporatism and will reflect their wishes over their members or voters. This is partly how we have ended up where we are. Labour are in power, they can, should be in the front line fighting for fairness. Instead we get anti immigrant rhetoric almost daily.
Exactly Andy.
So does the left. Look at Venezuela.
Your implicit claim that criticism of the government is an attack on democracy is basically totalitarian. In fact, the reverse is true. Criticism of the government is a core feature of a democracy. The claim that a government is beyond criticism because they represent “the people” is a hall mark of a dictatorship.
It wasn't an "implicit claim" about criticism of the government. I used the word "attack", not "criticism" - and I meant "attack". So, please don't fake-guess what I'm implying. Just read what I'm saying.
And if you had actually read my post, you would have quite clearly seen, I criticised the government. Here it is: "How can a Labour Government be unwilling to make the case for diversity and openness? Don't get me wrong... I agree with you. But how the fuck did this happen?" So there you go... I'm OK with people criticising the government.
And whilst I'm here... your "implicit defence" of Musk's shit-stirring, race-hating, speech was pretty limp. Why don't you actually say something concrete, rather than try to distort what other people are implying?
Thanks for reporting on this, Ian. The coverage of this has veered towards the "look at the strength of feeling on this important issue" rather than "look at these violent pissed up, coked up, hate filled fascists who don't know the difference between the St George flag and the flag of Georgia". I don't remember the same level of coverage being given to the trans pride march in July, which was the same size. Currently feeling as though we're being herded into the slaughterhouse of right wing authoritarianism by a complicit media establishment, sleepwalking our way into fascism.
Also, the many pro-EU marches had a million or more participants and there was hardly any coverage.
Is the only way to get coverage to be violent and provocative?
Exactly like what happened in America 😞
As usual, I read and was glad you wrote it. My heart hurts and I felt the fear and that is a good reason to keep writing as you do - thank you.
Wonderful writing, to which any comments of mine could not do justice. Your passion and thoughtfulness really comes through.
Last night I went to a magnificent performance of To Kill A Mockingbird at Leeds Playhouse. A decade ago it would have felt to me to be a period piece about a dark past in a foreign land. And now look where we are, as you so eloquently write. I’m sure the vast majority of last night’s audience will have felt similar terrible resonance.
I was fortunate to see it in London with Rafe Spall, but there were several older people who walked out visibly offended-after maybe 15 minutes. It's literally there when you book your tickets about the language. Who goes to a play they know absolutely nothing about? 🙄
But yes, we have gone back- just like America
A haunting scene beautifully described as usual. It exactly echoed the experience of my son and his partner ( a woman of colour). She runs an organisation supporting young new actors mostly from minorities and they were holding a celebratory event yesterday afternoon at the NFT. A diverse group of actors, producers and supporters had to make their way through that same crowd. Thankfully without incident but the fear was intense and the contrast between their values and hopes and those of the fascist marchers was so stark. Ian is right: we cannot rely on this government the time to stand up for our values is now.
Just the previous week the Southbank played host to We Should Never Have Walked on the Moon, a dance takeover of the Southbank Centre & RFH. The centrepiece, sited around a car outside the SC, involved diverse performers playing protesters spray-painting graffiti squaring up to the authorities. Staged by a French company it featured several amateur Brits alongside more experienced dancers.
As well as paying punters, passers-by got a glimpse of the spectacle for free. Some gave it a quick look and moved on, others stuck around to see how it would unfold. Tourists, Friday night post-work drinkers, families, people on their way to dinner or a show - all stumbled on something unexpected and provocative to add some colour to their evenings. Some would have thought it magical, others dull and didactic - both totally valid responses. It summed up for me what makes cities and areas like this so special.
"Britain is not a racist country. The people on that march do not understand the flag they wave or what it represents. Eventually, it will defeat them." I hope you are right in this, and I know you are right in saying it's up to us to fight back now - a silent majority no longer quiet.
100% this. silence is how these people consolidate power. Only trouble is that being anti-fascist these days automatically puts you in the 'dangerous extremist' category. Best method of ensuring silence is fear.
Fear is a weapon all right - and it's being used to whip up the right wing while intimidating the moderates and left.
100%, big tech is propagating fear very effectively and intentionally. The nerd reich is picking up pace.
You are so right and on point, Ian. We attended that protest and as a Londoner, I have never felt fear moving around my city. It was much safer being part of a crowd. We had to plan our route home which we left as we witnessed The Quakers being harassed by thugs.
We all must take a stand as we head into the future. We should all be fighting back for the good of all, including those who have no idea about the flag and what they say. As a woman of African-Caribbean heritage married to a white man, there is no other path to tread.
The challenge here is to understand that these mainly white working class men have had their careers in home care for the elderly, agricultural labouring and NHS portering denied to them by immigrants. They cannot go to their local church anymore because Muslims. Their charity work amongst the homeless and disadvantaged among us has been tainted with cries of 'woke' so they can't do that no more. They were planning to help out at their local food bank until they suddenly realised that the streets of Britain needed adorning with cheap nylon flags from China. When not engaged in this important work, they like to shout fascist slogans and occasionally throw sharp objects at those in authority - they find this therapeutic - who wants to deny them that. The vast majority of them at home are loving fathers and kind to their partners, constantly loading the dishwasher and changing the beds. That GBH conviction was a stitch up by the wife's mother and her leftie boyfriend and had absolutely no connection whatsoever to the WhatsApp group where they share extreme porn images. They're all teetotal as well. Probably.
"careers in home care for the elderly, agricultural labouring and NHS portering denied to them by ... " their unwillingness to do this kind of work
Well you know that, and I know that, but the point is that the protests are largely about jobs under taken by natives are being taken by foreigners. Jobs as you say they don’t want to do. Interestingly in the US certain industries are struggling to recruit Americans who will and can do the jobs normally carried out by foreigners.
Hmm, just like all those virtuous "be kind" trans activist transwomen screaming at women for opposing them in their spaces.
I'm sure they're just the most amazing sons, husbands and fathers as well.
I'm always amazed at how people will accept propaganda at face value if it suits their personal bigotry. Just as the toilet police have no evidence of any danger from genuine trans women to women, the evidence of aggression by trans women is only presented by people who have strong views against trans women themselves. I mean perish the thought they could be telling the odd self serving porky? Its also interesting to note that whenever a TERF wins a tribunal case, its splashed all over the news, as proof that trans people are being put in their place, or have a persecution complex. What the same papers don't do, is point out the numerous, and far outweighing the losses, tribunals won by trans women. Wonder why eh?
For you, TERF = toilet police
For me, you and other trans activists = reality deniers.
You see how this goes.
And for someone so virtuous to mention propaganda and lies, you're guilty of the very sin you abhor in others.
Go on then. Which bit of "reality" is denying the existence of trans people? I know most people feel far safer surrounded by trans people than racists.
Sorry dear, you had your chance to argue about this over the last decade, but chose No Debate, proving the illiberalism of your cause.
And since you're already impugning me as a racist, why would I bother giving you the time.
Racists and those trans activists threatening TERFs with violence, I don't see any difference.
Well, if you want to claim for yourself the racist and terf space, feel free. I certainly don't want it.
I’m not a trans activist. Never have been, never will be. If people obsess over who is going to public toilets, they get called toilet police, its as simple as that. How what goes? You buy into proven, by you know, facts, nonsense that plays to your bigotry, while others prefer to actually check what is really going on. That’s not buying into ‘propaganda’ its common sense, something bigots totally lack in their desire to persecute others. Still, I suppose if you have nothing meaningful in your life, hate, bigotry and persecuting others fills a hole…
Great, urgent, necessary writing as always. Thinking about this bit:
"Over the months and years to come, we will have to fight for our values like never before. That means proudly making the case for diversity and openness. It means that we must make that case without embarrassment or apology, without equivocating or whimpering about how we’re metropolitan elitists for doing so. The government is unwilling to do it, so it will be up to us to do it instead - whether we are on the right or left or centre, whether we are naturally activist or rather resigned, regardless of our temperament or inclination. But it will also mean that we stand with those who would be targeted. Thinking practically, speaking openly, ensuring they are safe and protected. It will be an exercise in solidarity. And it is through that solidarity that we will show our values and the failure of racism."
I can see easily how this applies to people with a platform like yours. Just writing this piece is already a beginning of your contribution to this fight. But I'm feeling a bit lost as to what this means in practice for people without a media profile. A genuine question asked in admiration, Ian.
This is just a starter but I think people regularly underestimate the effect of simply talking in daily life: to co-workers, to uncles, to the father-in-law, to friends online. Social norms are maintained by millions of individual action every day. Needless to say, people should be writing to their MP and the BBC, particularly on the use of X by government and journalists. And then there's local organising, or operating within a local political party, helping refugee support groups, backing anti-racist groups etc.
Thank you. And all power to you
Well said Ian 👍🏻 Here in Australia we have our own racism problem . The recent Referendum, asking should Aboriginal people have a voice in Parliament received a resounding NO vote . The Labor government has just set up what amounts to a penal colony on the tiny dot of an island in the Pacific , Nauru , for those asylum seekers and refugees they want rid of .
How the hell can that be? Bloody hell. So the indigenous people of Australia *still* have no representation?? Wow.
Why do you both pretend to care ?
Because empathy and humanity wins over petty little isolationists, and it's also morally right.
With the dam of anti democratic repression breaking good luck with persuading the indigenous population that what they really need is a lot more immigration from cultures that bear no relation to their own in order that the State can then play favours with the new arrivals
Thank you for commenting John, I do enjoy your posts. They are, as are all the right wingers posting here, proof of something I’ve argued for years, that its utterly pointless discussing issues with those on the right, in particular the hard and far right. This is because every single post, by every single right winger is the same, long on bile, short on reality, and follow a wearying pattern.
First, the total rebuttal of facts. Be it science, the anti vaxxer movement being increasingly right wing in its bent, be it hard data regards race, religion, immigration or the economy, the right just don’t want to know. I know, I tried for years presenting hard, irrefutable evidence, only for it to be ignored in favour of ‘my information shows otherwise’, even though, when requested, that information was never, ever, forthcoming. Then we have that other old fave, ‘I’ll go with my gut thanks’. Ah yes, gut feeling v reality, a no brainer for gut feeling there eh?
The other great trait, is the old, time honoured victim complex. ‘Our views are being suppressed’ either by the establishment (as argued by the NSDAP, Mosely, the NF, the BNP and so it goes wearily on…) an elusive ‘liberal left’ or, the now famous, but wearily overused by plodding right wing talking heads, ‘woke liberals’. In a way its sad, in others rather pathetic. In the UK, bar two media outlets, the rest are right wing, and four are often hard to far right with their anti-immigrant, bigoted rhetoric. Sky news has been criticised for being less than impartial, the BBC, now run by Ex Tory advisors and Tory supporters, is now openly supportive of Reform, and recently admitted that was their aim – ‘to be more attractive to Reform voters’. So, sod the rest of us then!
But here’s the thing, in my adult lifetime, we have never, ever, had a socialist, or left liberal govt. They have all, bar a short burst of Tony the Teeths ‘wet’ Conservatism, and the current right wing shower, all been Conservative. The UK establishment itself, which often crosses over into the Conservative party is right wing. There has never been a period when the elusive ‘left wing’ has dominated our political scene. Yes, some bodies try and reflect the reality of our history, our politics and our relationship with newcomers, but woe is them if they dare to cross the right wings view of what should be portrayed! What the real problem is, is that right wing voters have put endless Conservative govts in, they’ve failed to deliver, and left the country in a mess, now, being the moral cowards they are, the right cannot accept responsibility for their actions. If they want someone to man up – look in the mirror.
The nonsense the right spouts, again, without any basis in fact, consists purely of Chinese whispers, but the very fact they take root as ‘fact’ shows that people are not ‘just concerned’, no, they are quite happy to unquestioningly accept utter rubbish – because it plays to existing prejudices. For example, ‘unlimited immigration’. This is pure gibberish. Every Immigration act since 1945, regardless of party, has restricted immigration. Then we have the ‘great replacement’ theory, spouted by, well, deny it ‘til the cows come home, racists. Why? Because it’s a purely racial theory based on the fiction that a tiny minority of people can overwhelm a massive majority. The fact that’s never happened in history without the massacre of the native population as in the USA and Australia, is of course deemed irrelevant.
Then we have the drivel about ‘special privileges’ for migrants. I could, but seeing as it will, as ever, be ignored, link to every govt, and outside bodies information on what Asylum seekers, Refugees, and migrants are entitled to. Which, is actually not very much, and certainly is not ‘putting them ahead of the ‘native’ population’. Here we can have an example of the nonsense Chinese whispers; in my outlaws former town, it was claimed that the (then) new estate was going to be solely for housing Asylum seekers. Everyone accepted it as fact, got on their high horse, and arguing did no good whatsoever. In fact, not one single house was used for Asylum seekers, all were sold privately, and in all likelihood, the rumour was spread by the developers to distract from not one single house being earmarked for social housing. Yes, that’s how much of a sucker right wingers are.
The tragedy of it all is, that these truly daft people are locking themselves into a trap. They voted Tory, and all they delivered is an underfunded mess, and spent the whole time blaming everyone but themselves. ‘It’s the disabled fault’, ‘the civil servants’, ‘the unions’, ‘the liberals/PC/Woke’ and of course immigrants. It couldn’t be that using economic and social theory that’s long been discredited as utter garbage, even by conservative economists, might have led us to this pass? Perish the thought. With Labour playing into the rights hands on a daily basis, alienating their entire voting base with a rapid rate of knots, the Tories finally facing the cold reality of forty (a hundred?) years of epic failure, who are the right turning to?
Nigel Farage. And what does Nigel Farage believe in? Cuts, crushing the Unions and working class peoples rights, de-regulation, blaming the disabled, poorest off, and migrants, privatisation, ending the NHS, and de-regulating the same bastards who tanked the global economy in 2008. In other words, the same useless shit the right voted for with the Tories. Some people it seems, really do never learn…
Well, I’ll leave it there John, thank you for your contributions, I look forward to the inevitable more of the same. As for me, I’m tired of listening to the same old bollocks I heard working in the building trade in the late 70’s and early 80’s, immigrants this, that, and the other, from the same ill informed, bigoted people. The old saying is right, ‘not everyone that hates immigrants is a racist, but all racists hate immigrants’.
Bye, and enjoy ignoring my last response to the never ending blame game. Enough is enough. Banging your head on a brick wall for forty plus years has taken its toll.
Thanks, Neil. I get you think the right are denialists but that cuts both ways. At the extremes right tends to stick with its instinctive reactions to things whereas progressives tend to suppress those instincts often for pro social reasons. Progressives are right about certain things eg greater tolerance is a good thing in the right measure. In a town of 10,000 it is far better to welcome as one’s own the single family from a foreign culture. However if that family is a pathway to the town ceasing to be identifiably English (Savile Town at the extreme end of things) then I think progressive acceptance becomes a pathological response. Those on the left still living on a diet of innumerate outdated bromides don’t seem to accept this. Nor do they accept that mass migration has been profoundly anti democratic.
Oh well said
The egoic/ defensive nature of your response indicates you’re not as caring as you like to imagine and so the suggestion that you mostly merely pretend to care remains live. I’m not saying you don’t care a bit but that in reality most of it is about you and an online performance/ sense of identity. Whereas In the real world you do very little. Like most progressives you will not walk what is inferred by your talk.
Even before they got to London, they had a victory. People of colour told each other to stay at home. There was speculation: could the threat extend beyond Central London? There were people with flags on the tube: how far were they going? It's comforting to think that all the far-right marchers were from outside London, but is it true? Just by holding one rally these people bring in a threat that we've never had to consider, not on this scale.
I was in Surbiton yesterday afternoon and saw a group of 4 of them getting on a bus there. It's probably a good thing they didn't hear me call them 'twats'...
I live in Waterloo though, and all my neighbours stayed home. They didn't want to get caught up in it. It was all everyone was talking about in the WhatsApp groups.
Thanks for writing this.
Wandered past this pathetic gaggle of provincial sex offenders a couple of times yesterday. One very drunk man in hideous red crocs, failing to read the tube map at South Ken and being studiously ignored by staff. A handful of sweaty nonces and tax dodgers at Embankment. One looked up sharply as I muttered “Fucking fucking Nazi fucking nonces, fucking flag shagging fascist fucking paedophiles every fucking where.” He didn’t have time to start anything, probably because it was too many syllables for his ratbrain.
Felt incredibly relevant to me both that those who eventually managed to find the northern line were stared at by the entire carriage like the shit on a shoe they are, and that they all got off at Euston. Presumably to go back where they came from.
Arrest the lot of them under the public order act 1986. Every. Last. One.
Really struggling to understand Peter Kyle's spineless response on the media rounds this morning. Yes, free speech, blah, blah, but no actual condemnation (or even criticism) of the actual speech. These dogs will not lie down and go away if we are quiet.
Thanks for your account.
Just so we understand the mask-off nature of this moment:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/sep/13/elon-musk-calls-for-dissolution-of-parliament-at-far-right-rally-in-london
Bravo, Ian….superbly put… 👏🏻