9/21 – International Political Analysis

On September 13, around 150,000 or more demonstrators gathered in the heart of the British capital under the banner of “Unite the Kingdom,” a sprawling protest movement that is captivating right-wing rhetoric, populist anger, and deep national disillusionment. The rally, fronted by Tommy Robinson, a figure long associated with Britain’s radical right, attracted a far broader crowd than expected. Among those who turned out were not only the typical fringe elements of the populus but also ordinary citizens who seem to have had enough with the shortcomings of their government.

Although marked by some violence that left 26 police officers injured, the demonstration felt more like a populist carnival than a fringe political stunt. American-style slogans and paraphernalia, MAGA caps, “Make Britain Great Again” hats, and images of the late U.S. right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk were seen on display. Religious fervor also pulsed through the event, with evangelical preachers leading thousands in public prayer and crosses being propelled to the top of statues. The rally reached its dramatic climax outside Whitehall, where Elon Musk appeared on towering screens, delivering a provocative message warning the crowd that they must either fight back or perish. 

This mass mobilization came just days before former U.S. President Donald Trump was scheduled to arrive in the United Kingdom for a second state visit—an unprecedented honor initiated by King Charles and coordinated by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government. The visit, replete with royal pageantry and formal diplomacy, is part of a broader strategy by Britain’s leadership to strategically maintain favorable ties with Trump, despite vast ideological divides and domestic opposition to his persona.

Caught Between Tradition and Turmoil

Trump’s arrival was reportedly greeted with ceremonial grandeur: carriage rides, military salutes, and a state banquet at Windsor Castle. He reportedly held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Starmer at Chequers, the official countryside retreat. The UK government discussed fresh U.S. investment deals in nuclear energy and artificial intelligence, looking to be presented as wins for working-class Britons.

Trump’s visit was carefully insulated from the British public. This is likely purposeful and for many reasons as according to polling by YouGov, only 16 percent of Britons hold a favorable opinion of Trump, making him even less popular than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But while Trump himself is disliked, many of the populist grievances that elevated him in the U.S. are taking firm root in Britain.

The Rise of British MAGA

The rally on September 13 may have appeared chaotic, but its underlying message was clear: a rejection of the political establishment, fueled by anger over immigration, free speech restrictions, cultural liberalism, and a perceived loss of national identity. Protesters rallied against government efforts on climate policy, demanded mass deportations of undocumented migrants, condemned diversity and inclusion programs, and warned of alleged indoctrination in schools.

Many in attendance wore slogans and gear bearing the acronym MEGA—Make England Great Again—or its local variant, MBGA—Make Britain Great Again. Even if Donald Trump’s name was not chanted, the ideological qualities of his political movement were unmistakable.

The British Election Study (BES) recently analyzed public opinion using 34 key indicators aligned with Trump-era MAGA themes: opposition to immigration and foreign aid, skepticism about transgender rights, hostility to government censorship, and support for unrestricted speech. While the percentage of Britons who share MAGA-like views dipped in 2020, that number has since rebounded. As of 2025, 36 percent of the population aligns with most of these positions, up from just over 25 percent five years ago.

More concerning for Britain’s ruling class is the fact that this group is now significantly more politically engaged and disillusioned. In 2015, such voters gave the Conservative government a net approval rating of +21. In 2025, the same demographic rates the Labour government at –44. Distrust in the state is now endemic, as only 12 percent of Britons say they trust the government to act in the national interest, while nearly half say they “almost never” trust it, (an all-time high).

Cultural Flashpoints and Political Opportunity

This populist momentum has materialized in ways that closely mirror America’s own internal conflicts. There is growing outrage over what many perceive as restrictions on free speech, including the controversial categorization of “non-crime hate incidents.” According to the BES, a vast 70 percent of Britons believe people are too easily offended. Meanwhile, environmental skepticism has doubled since 2019, with many now arguing that the UK spends too much on climate change.

Support for extreme immigration policies is also rising. Reform UK, the successor to the Brexit-era UKIP, has proposed deporting 600,000 migrants within five years. Nearly half the country supports the idea in principle. Reform UK, under the leadership of Nigel Farage, appears to be strategically positioning itself to appeal to MAGA-curious voters while maintaining distance from the extremism associated with figures like Tommy Robinson.

The absence of official Reform UK representatives at Saturday’s protest was notable. Farage has consistently disavowed Robinson’s more provocative tactics and associations. Yet many attendees expressed that Farage remained the only politician they would consider voting for. The rally’s crowd was made up of a cross-section of society: Christian nationalists, disaffected Brexit campaigners, angry homeowners, and first-time protesters all joined together by a sense of national decline and political betrayal. “Keir Starmer’s a wanker” emerged as the unofficial chant of the day.

Analysis:

The effectiveness of the “Unite the Kingdom” rally lay partly in its intentional vagueness. The name allowed disparate movements and grievances to coalesce under a single banner of anti-establishment discontent. This tactic mirrors Trump’s own approach, building a coalition not through coherent policy but through shared resentment and spectacle.

While the UK still lacks the deep political polarization and embedded conspiracy culture of the United States, that gap is narrowing. The conditions are fertile with economic stagnation, housing unaffordability, strained public services, and a growing cultural divide over immigration and identity have created a population increasingly ready to revolt against the mainstream elites.

There is likely a deeper undercurrent sweeping through British politics and the Trumpification of Britain is no longer theoretical. It is manifesting in rallies, opinion polls, and a fundamental loss of public trust in democratic institutions. 

What makes this movement potent is not just its ideology, but its adaptability. Just like in the United States, British populism now speaks the language of decline, nostalgia, and urgency. For some, these beliefs are rooted in genuine economic frustration or cultural alienation. For others, they reflect a deeper fear that traditional British identity is slipping away.

But unlike in America, where Trump has built an entire party apparatus around himself, Britain’s populist right remains fractured. Farage has yet to fully capitalize on the anger Robinson has mobilized. Whether he does so—or whether a new figure emerges to channel this energy—may determine the outcome of the next election.

For now, the message from the streets of London is clear. The British public may still dislike Donald Trump, but many have already embraced his worldview and are ready to fight in Britain’s own culture war.