Keir Starmer Vows Britain Will Not Surrender Its Flag to Hate and Division
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared that Britain will never allow its national flag to be hijacked as a symbol of violence, fear, or division.
Speaking after mass protests in London, where more than 150,000 people joined a far-right march led by activist Tommy Robinson and around 5,000 participated in a counter-demonstration organized by Stand Up To Racism, Starmer emphasized that the flag represents a diverse and tolerant nation.
“Our flag represents our diverse country,” he said on Sunday. “We will never surrender it to those who wish to use it as a symbol of violence, fear, and division. No one should feel intimidated on our streets because of their background or the color of their skin.”
Freedom of Protest, But Zero Tolerance for Violence
Starmer stressed that peaceful protest is a cornerstone of Britain’s democracy, but he condemned the violence that erupted during the demonstrations.
“People have a right to peaceful protest. It is at the heart of our country’s values,” he said. “But we will not stand for assaults on police officers doing their job or for people being intimidated on our streets.”
According to the Metropolitan Police, 26 officers were injured during the protests, four of them seriously. A total of 24 arrests were made, with suspects ranging in age from 19 to 58.
London Protests Draw Tens of Thousands
Central London was filled with Union Jacks, St George’s Crosses, and a few Scottish Saltires and Welsh flags as demonstrators gathered for the march. Police deployed around 1,500 officers from the Met and other forces across the country to maintain order.
The protest remained mostly peaceful early in the day, but tensions escalated in the afternoon as clashes broke out. Officers reported being kicked and punched while trying to separate Robinson’s supporters from counter-protesters. Mounted police were forced to use batons to push back crowds when the march became too large for Whitehall.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said while many came to lawfully exercise their right to protest, “there were many who came intent on violence.”
Political Reactions to the March
Business Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged that freedom of speech and association must be protected but warned that rising divisions are a serious concern.
“These moments are klaxon calls for those in power to redouble efforts to address the big issues people worry about, including immigration,” Kyle told the BBC. He also criticized Elon Musk, who spoke to protesters via video link, urging them to “fight back or die,” calling the remarks “totally inappropriate.”
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds directly, accusing politicians of “parroting” his views while fueling resentment over immigration and governance.
Britain’s Message: Unity, Not Division
Starmer reaffirmed that Britain’s strength lies in its diversity and its tradition of tolerance. “This is a nation built on respect and unity. We will not hand over our symbols or our streets to those who seek to divide us.”
The government and police have vowed that those responsible for violent behavior during the protests will be held accountable, with further arrests expected as investigations continue.