By WTF Land
The streets of London were alive with passion on September 13, 2025, as over 110,000 people joined the "Unite the Kingdom" rally organized by Tommy Robinson. Waving British and English flags, protesters marched against immigration, chanting for controls and deportation. But what started as a peaceful demonstration turned tense with scuffles, injuring 26 police officers and leading to 25 arrests. As a UK reporter on the ground, I saw the raw frustration of Brits feeling their country is slipping away – but is this the way to fix it?
The rally was a culmination of summer unrest. Protests outside asylum hotels, like in Epping where a court ordered evictions after local disruptions, have become common. In Glasgow on 20 September, hundreds clashed over racism accusations. The government estimates 28,000 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, fueling anger over housing and resources. Hotels costing millions to house asylum-seekers have become symbols of strain, with councils potentially taking £5bn contracts to shift them locally – a move expected to spark more backlash.
Robinson, describing himself as exposing state wrongdoing, called the rally a "cultural revolution." Supporters like one protester said, "We want our country back." Video messages from Elon Musk, Eric Zemmour, and Petr Bystron added international flavor, with Zemmour promoting controversial theories. But police faced violence – kicked, punched, and hit with projectiles – labeling it "unacceptable."
Starmer's Labour government is under fire. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced tougher indefinite leave conditions – English proficiency, no crimes, community volunteering – to ensure contribution. But critics say it's too little. Reform UK, leading polls, proposes ending indefinite leave, forcing reapplications – labeled "racist" by Starmer.
The political crisis deepens. Starmer's approval is at -56, with Labour trailing Reform. At the Liverpool conference, he urged unity against Farage's "politics of grievance," promising NHS reforms. But with potential leadership challenges from Andy Burnham, and resignations like Angela Rayner and Peter Mandelson, Labour looks shaky.
This rally highlights the divide – pride in British symbols vs. accusations of hostility. With English flags proliferating as a "campaign of national pride," the debate rages. What's the solution – stricter controls or more integration? Your thoughts?
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