C of E faces dilemma as far right claims Christianity to push agenda that often clashes with gospel message
G
ary made sure he got to Whitehall early for the “unite the kingdom” (UTK) outdoor carol service in the run-up to Christmas. After about 150,000 people turned up for the last rally called by Tommy Robinson in September, the leader of the anti-migrant far-right movement, he wanted to be sure of a prime position.
He needn’t have worried. About 1,500 people – perhaps 1% of September’s turnout – came to Whitehall to sing carols and hear preachers in the twilight of a mid-December day. Robinson had publicly insisted the event was a non-political celebration of Christmas; maybe that deterred some of movement’s more ardent activists.
Crosses and flags were on display, but there was little overt talk – either from the preachers or people in the crowd – of Robinson’s favoured political themes. One did complain loudly that her grandchildren were “banned from celebrating Christmas” at school; another group of women handed out leaflets calling for communities to be “protected from illegal immigration”.
