Uniting the Kingdom?
Taking a stand – and a March - for Christ in our post-Christian nation
Now that the dust has settled it is time for us to consider just what happened at the Unite the Kingdom Rally on 13th September and learn what lessons we can.
Don’t trust the authorities
The first thing we learn is that we cannot trust the authorities and especially the legacy media outlets. The size of the rally was announced by the Metropolitan Police as 110,000. This was upped to 150,000 and reported as such by the BBC. Helicopter and drone footage suggested a possible one million plus. Whilst a further estimate of 3,000,000 is doubtful, there was clearly more than the 110,000 or 150,000 of the official figures.
The official estimate of 150,000 is for Whitehall and those watching the stage. However, in addition to this, the whole of central London was crowded with people who had come to take part in the rally. It is notoriously difficult to estimate the size of crowds, but probably the fairest estimation is that given on GB News which estimated that there was at least three times the official figure.
Arrests
That such a large crowd could gather without some instances of bad behaviour or arrests is unfortunately highly unlikely. There were 25 arrests at the rally. There is unfortunately no reliable indication of how many of those arrested belonged to those who came to attend the rally and how many were from amongst the 5,000 strong counter demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism and who were there to cause as much inconvenience as possible.
....probably the fairest estimation is that given on GB News which estimated that there was at least three times the official figure.
Putting the alleged violence into perspective, this comparison by The Daily Mail with the Notting Hill Carnival, (praised as a fun loving and peaceful celebration of diversity and inclusion by left-wing commentators), is instructive. 25 arrests were made at the rally compared with 423 at the Carnival. We have also witnessed 890 arrests at the Palestinian Action protests earlier in September.
Shopkeepers have grown weary of the Carnival, with stores along major routes having to board up their windows in preparation for crime and disorder. ‘Knife arches’ have had to be installed, and low level public disorder, cannabis smoking and public urination are commonplace at the Carnival.
There was none of this at the Unite the Kingdom rally. Even if we were to accept the official underestimation of the numbers, there is a vast contrast between the peaceful rally and the violent Carnival.
A Christian Presence
One of the distinguishing marks of the rally was the number of crosses on display and the many references to Christ. Bible verses such as ‘Jesus the Way, the Truth, the Life’, or ‘Jesus is Lord’ and ‘Turn back to God’ were emblazoned on many of the flags displayed. From the speakers’ platform in Whitehall, crowds were led in chants of “Christ is King” and participated in public prayer recitals, while being urged to defend “God, faith, family, homeland”.
One of the distinguishing marks of the rally was the number of crosses on display and the many references to Christ.
To those within the media, this suggested Christianity was, ‘an ominous and rising influence on the British far right.’ Polly Toynbee is of the opinion that this is evidence that ‘Christianity erupts in its latest manifestation as far-right nationalist politics cosplaying as piety.’
Hostility from the Church
Left-wing political activists were not alone in condemning the use of Christian symbols in the rally. The mainstream churches were too. The bishops of Winchester, Manchester, Southwark, Croydon, Bradford, Woolwich and Kingston were among the signatories to a joint letter from church leaders voicing concern at the use of Christian symbols, particularly the cross, at the rally.
They joined with senior leaders in the Methodist, Baptist and Pentecostal churches; the Church of Scotland; the Salvation Army; the Catholic social action network Caritas, and leaders of major cross-denominational groups such as the Evangelical Alliance and Churches Together in England, as well as prominent clergy and theologians.
With such open hostility – even from within the Church - to the presence of sincere, concerned Christians and the display of Christian symbols, particularly the cross, how are we to react?
The real scandal
Even when – occasionally – they stepped over the line in their rhetorical opposition to leftist ideology, I am grateful that the rally goers at least had the faith to speak boldly. In this they were unlike so many pastors and priests in this country, who have muted themselves out of fear of being disliked or appearing controversial.
I am grateful that there are still so many who are willing to take their faith out of their emptying churches and into the streets of this country.
I am grateful that there are men and women prepared to take a stand for Christ and the values His people have built into the very fabric of this nation. I am grateful that there are still so many who are willing to take their faith out of their emptying churches and into the streets of this country.
Christians have been desperate for leadership, and the Church has failed to provide it. It is an absolute scandal that theologically uneducated Christian men and women are more courageous and effective advocates for Christian moral teaching than countless of the ordained, professional clerics!
A stand for Christ
It always makes me wince when men and women proclaim loudly that they are on the side of God. And yet Western civilization really was built by men – not necessarily good men; indeed, sometimes great sinners – but men who were confident that the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the God of Peter and Paul, was the guarantor of Truth.
Our elites are presiding over the funeral of a once-great civilization that is dying, because it no longer believes in God or in itself. Those who attended the rally, and their countless supporters, showed that they are not prepared to join the funeral rites.
Those who attended the rally, and their countless supporters, showed that they are not prepared to join the funeral rites.
The rally goers did not dot all the ‘i’s or cross all the ‘t’s of theological nicety. But they took a stand against the spirit of the age and a stand for Christ.
Christian revival
The question is, do we have the courage to turn away from the culture of death that our elites, secular and religious, have tried to build without God? If there is to be Christian revival in the United Kingdom and in Europe, it’s going to come from people who want something real. From people who realise that you can just get on and do the things God requires without waiting for the imprimatur of the ecclesiastically recognised.
In large part attendance at the rally was made up of Christians and patriots who are not ashamed to love their God and their country, and who want a return to normality. This should not be scorned or derided – it should be applauded.
Rev Dr Campbell Campbell-Jack, 24/09/2025