Birmingham City Council has refused to grant permission to the Britain First party to organize an anti-immigration demonstration in Victoria Square, located in the heart of the city. The council explained its rejection by stating that the demonstration is incompatible with British values. It also announced its rejection of the far-right party, stating that the demonstration the party seeks to hold is “inconsistent with our commitments to equality, community cohesion, and the promotion of British values.” The council further decided not to remove the security barriers in order to prevent the setting up of a platform and the entry of vehicles.
According to the City Council, it is committed to the principles of equality, community cohesion, and the promotion of British values. The city’s policy does not permit the use of council resources to support organizations whose values, affiliations, or activities are inconsistent with these principles, particularly in cases of extremism or radicalism.
In defiance of the council’s decision, Britain First leader Paul Golding announced that the rally would proceed as scheduled. He claimed the council would be unable to stop participants from arriving on foot and predicted that thousands would attend. Just days earlier, Britain First held a similar demonstration in Nuneaton, which reportedly drew a crowd of around 100 people.
Britain First responded to the council’s decision by announcing plans to appeal, sharing a message on its website along with a copy of the rejection email. The council’s communication stated: “After careful review, it has been determined that the planned demonstration does not comply with the city’s no-stage policy.”
Although the city council denied official permission, British law permits Britain First—as a registered political party—to organize a public protest. The group intends to hold the demonstration under the slogan “March for Re-Immigration,” calling for the mass deportation of immigrants. Since its founding, Britain First has built its platform on anti-Muslim, anti-immigration, and anti-multiculturalist ideologies, advocating an extreme nationalist agenda under the banner of defending “traditional British culture.”
Following the far-right party’s announcement of the planned demonstration, several anti-fascist groups declared their intention to hold counter-demonstrations. This prompted the police to prepare for a potential security risk in the city on the day of the protests.
The demonstration comes shortly after Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled plans for a significant overhaul of UK immigration policy. The Home Office recently released a 180-page white paper outlining proposals to reduce migrant inflows. The plan has faced strong opposition from migrant advocacy organizations, with pro-migrant and anti-fascist groups arguing that the government’s proposals fuel hatred against foreigners.
