Displaying items by tag: Britain First

A grassroots campaign called 'Operation Raise the Colours' has seen activists in over a dozen English towns hoisting hundreds of Union and St George’s Cross flags on lampposts. Organisers claim the movement aims to restore national pride and community spirit, with some £13,000 raised to buy flags. However, its credibility has been damaged by links to far-right groups. Britain First donated 250 flags, and organiser Andy Saxon has publicly supported its leader Paul Golding and activist Tommy Robinson. Britain First, with roots in the BNP, is notorious for promoting 'remigration' and anti-Muslim rhetoric; its leader has criminal convictions for religiously aggravated harassment. Critics warn that what is presented as patriotism risks being hijacked by extremist groups. Councils in Birmingham and Tower Hamlets have removed flags, citing safety and political concerns, while twelve Reform UK-controlled councils have pledged not to take them down, calling removals 'shameful’. The controversy highlights how national symbols can be co-opted into culture wars, deepening division rather than fostering unity.

Paul Golding, the leader of the far-right group Britain First, is setting up a ‘training centre’ in London where recruits will be ‘drilled’ and taught ‘self-defence techniques’. Mr Golding has a string of public order convictions and offences under the Terrorism Act by representing the very far right wing of UK politics, bordering on fascistic tendencies. A lawyer specialising in terrorism cases said it is worrying that somebody with a history of public order issues and causing alarm to a particular community is setting up an organised training facility. Mr Golding said that because of their political opponents and extremist jihadi Islamist movements, they need their security department to be highly trained and professional. ‘Trained to do their job. Just like a firefighter.’