The recent "Unite the Kingdom" rally organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson on 13 September 2025, which attracted over 110,000 participants to London, has reignited deep anxieties among ethnic minority Britons about the legitimisation and rising popularity of far-right politics in the UK. For many, the event echoes the turbulent racial tensions of 50 years ago, recalling an era when far-right groups like the National Front mobilised against minority communities. Dabinderjit Singh, a retired senior civil servant, reflected on this shift, noting that while far-right groups represented a minority in the 1970s, today they appear more mainstream and influential, resonating not only in the UK but across other democracies grappling with demographic and cultural changes.

The rally, promoted under the guise of free speech and national unity, saw the widespread display of Union Jacks and St George's flags, chants opposing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and placards denouncing immigration. The march included a mix of frustrated citizens and hardcore British nationalists or neo-Nazis, according to counter-extremism activists. This mingling of participants revealed a complex tapestry of socio-political grievances rooted in economic inequality, social disenfranchisement, and cultural identity concerns. The event, however, was marred by violent confrontations with the police, resulting in 26 injured officers and 25 arrests for charges such as violent disorder and assault. A concurrent counter-protest, organised by the anti-racist group Stand Up to Racism, attracted approximately 5,000 demonstrators, illustrating the stark divisions within British society over immigration and race.

For some ethnic minority Britons, the rally rekindled painful memories of past discrimination and systemic injustices, notably those endured by the Windrush generation. Hetticia McIntosh, now aged 70 and from Manchester, recalled enduring the violent racial abuse of her youth and the lasting consequences of the Windrush scandal that saw her and her husband forcibly leave the UK due to the Home Office's refusal to renew their British passports. McIntosh views the current political climate, with far-right calls for "remigration" and tightening immigration rules, as a disturbing repeat of history. The government’s inability to present a positive and inclusive message of unity, combined with rising anti-migrant sentiment and racist graffiti targeting ethnic minority businesses and places of worship, intensifies fears of another Windrush-type injustice.

Political rhetoric has further inflamed these tensions. Labour’s proposal to extend the qualifying period for settled status for skilled migrants from five to ten years has been criticised by some Conservative MPs as insufficiently stringent. Tory MP Katie Lam advocated for revoking indefinite leave to remain from migrants deemed unlikely to contribute economically or who have engaged in criminal activities, signalling a hardening stance within Westminster. Meanwhile, far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson have attempted divisive tactics by distinguishing “decent minorities” like Sikhs, whose community has faced racial attacks post-9/11, from other minority groups, a strategy viewed by community leaders as a deliberate "divide and rule" ploy. Tragically, recent violent attacks on ethnic minority individuals, including a Sikh woman in the West Midlands told to "get out," have underscored the urgent need for political leadership to address racism alongside immigration policy.

Community organisations voice profound concerns about the prevailing atmosphere. The British Muslim Trust, which recently partnered with the government to monitor Islamophobia, reported that Muslim women have been taking extra precautions and limiting their public movements following the rally and rising hate incidents. Its chief executive, Akeela Ahmed, described the situation as intolerable and deeply unsettling. Similarly, Nigel Bromage, founder of the counter-extremism group Exit Hate and a former National Front member, warned that underlying social grievances must be acknowledged to prevent far-right movements from gaining further traction.

The shadow of the Windrush scandal continues to loom large. Recent judicial rulings revealed that the Home Office unlawfully disregarded key recommendations from the 2020 Williams Review, which sought to safeguard migrants' rights and improve immigration oversight. Critics argue that the failure to implement these recommendations reflects a broader reluctance within government to confront institutional racism and protect minority communities. Reflecting this sentiment, Dabinderjit Singh called on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to prioritise tackling racism and violence against women, stressing that a failure to do so risks steering the UK toward authoritarian politics that marginalise minorities to appease majority sentiments.

Anti-racist campaigners echo the worry that mainstream politicians have ceded control of the national conversation on race and migration to polarising figures and platforms, with some pointing to Elon Musk’s vocal support for far-right causes as emblematic of this troubling trend. The Runnymede Trust highlighted the symbolism of the rally coinciding with what would have been Stephen Lawrence’s birthday, a poignant reminder that racism continues to have deadly consequences.

Amidst this fraught backdrop, government officials assert their commitment to social cohesion. Although Angela Rayner resigned before finalising a comprehensive strategy, the communities department affirmed that efforts to bridge divisions and confront racism will persist under the oversight of the prime minister. However, for many affected communities, the challenge lies not merely in policy but in reversing the legitimisation of far-right ideology that threatens the very fabric of a diverse and inclusive Britain.

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Source: Noah Wire Services