Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged that Britain will “never surrender its flag” to those seeking to use it as a symbol of hatred, violence, and division. Speaking after mass demonstrations in central London, he said the Union Jack represents “our diverse country” and should never make anyone feel unwelcome or unsafe because of their background or skin colour.
His comments followed a major protest on Saturday, where more than 150,000 people marched in a “Unite the Kingdom” rally led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Around 5,000 joined a counter-demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism. Police confirmed that 26 officers were injured, including four seriously, and 24 arrests were made.
Addressing the events, Starmer said: “People have a right to peaceful protest—it is at the heart of our country’s values. But we will not stand for assaults on police officers or for people being intimidated on our streets. Britain is proudly built on tolerance, diversity, and respect. Our flag represents that, and we will never hand it over to those who want to twist it into a tool of fear.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle also voiced concern, saying the rallies were a stark warning that political leaders must do more to address the public’s anxieties, particularly around immigration. He described the protests as “klaxon calls” highlighting deepening divisions across society.
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