Billy Bragg Calls for Strong Support at London March Against Far Right
Musician and political activist Billy Bragg has called on the public to demonstrate a united front against division by attending what is anticipated to be the largest multicultural rally in UK history this Saturday.
Speaking to ahead of the Together Alliance’s march opposing the far right in central London, Bragg emphasized the importance of sending a clear message to those promoting hate and division.
"We hope to send out a message to our fellow citizens that we are willing to take a stand against [the politics of hate] being imported into the UK,"
He added that the event is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of participants and has garnered support from a broad spectrum of celebrities. Among those endorsing the march are actors Christopher Eccleston, David Harewood, Lenny Henry, Steve Coogan, Toby Jones, Lolly Adefope, and Maxine Peake; musicians Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church, Brian Eno, and Beverley Knight; as well as comedian James Acaster.
Dozens of coaches are scheduled to depart from various locations across the country on Saturday morning, including ten from Manchester alone. The march will commence at Park Lane and proceed to Trafalgar Square, starting at midday.
Two stages will be set up for the event: one on Whitehall for speeches and another in Trafalgar Square for musical performances. Both stages are free to attend and will feature cross-party speakers alongside award-winning musicians such as Self Esteem, Jessie Ware, Katy B, Joy Crookes, UB40, Fontaines DC, The Charlatans, and Hot Chip.
Speakers expected to address the crowd include Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester; Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party; Labour MP Dawn Butler; and various trade union leaders.
Bragg, who will perform on the speakers’ stage, reflected on the shifting political landscape in the UK and globally.
"I think we’re in a situation where the idea of universal rights, the sort of postwar settlement after the Holocaust where we realised that rights had to belong to individuals if they were going to be protected … is being severely challenged by a policy that you might call ‘might is right’, where the strongest do what they want to the weakest."
He identified former US President Donald Trump as a prominent figure embodying this approach.
"He’s like a constant reminder of the cruel realities of the politics of division,"
Bragg described Trump as a "blaring horn that never switches off."
Despite this, Bragg expressed optimism that such divisive messages can be countered through collective action. He anticipates the turnout will surpass that of the "unite the kingdom" rally held in September of the previous year, where approximately 110,000 people marched through London waving England flags and union jacks while chanting racist and anti-immigrant slogans.
"You see a lot of people out on the streets marching for the kind of politics that you want,"
Bragg said.
"And you feel, for a moment, you feel seen. You feel that your concerns are legitimate. And that’s a really important thing. It’s the start of something."
Sabby Dhalu, representing Stand Up to Racism and a member of the Together Alliance, explained the origins of the march.
"Together was formed in response to last September’s far-right ‘unite the kingdom’ demonstration, when violent groups went on the rampage. The overwhelming majority of people reject the racism, Islamophobia, division, hatred and violence promoted by Tommy Robinson and the far right."
She added,
"This Saturday we will demonstrate that clearly. Tens of thousands will take to the streets of central London, bringing the same spirit of unity that helped bring the racist riots of 2024 to a halt."
Bragg further commented on the necessity of empathy in this struggle.
"In the end, if we believe in those basic fundamental values of empathy, then we’re going to need that. Because that’s the one thing that Tommy Robinson, Nigel Farage and Donald Trump seem to lack – any sense of empathy whatsoever.
And that angers me because I’m in the empathy business, that’s what music does. It makes you feel that you’re not alone. So that’s why we’re in this fight."
