Mahmood & Starmer opening the door to the far right
Shabana Mahmood & Keir Starmer’s assault on the rights of refugees last week was shocking even to those hardened by years of scapegoating rhetoric aimed at those seeking asylum in Britain.
The Labour government may think it can beat back Reform UK and Nigel Farage by copying their policies but the evidence across Europe is clear, if you give the far right what it wants it will come back for more.
Mahmood is legitimising the far right and that means more votes for Farage and more violent protests on the streets against asylum seekers.
It’s heartening to know that across Britain ordinary people oppose this way of thinking. On Saturday in Exeter over 1500 people came out to oppose the far right – outnumbering them 10-1.
In Sheffield more than 1200 took to the streets opposing Mahmood’s scapegoating and the far right. In Portsmouth antiracists and antifascists outnumbered a far right “South Coast mobilisation” by 2-1. In Hillingdon in West London it was great to see Nazi Nick Tenconi flop again. Tenconi was opposed by a local mobilisation that included MP John McDonnell.
We saw 250 march on Sunday night led by Women Against the Far Right to mark the UN day for the elimination of violence against women. The far right claim to be “defending women” but we know that 41% of those arrested in last year’s racist riots had been reported for crimes associated with intimate partner violence.
The government attacks are going to give a boost to the far right everywhere. But millions of people know that refugees are not to blame for NHS queues, lack of housing and jobs.
Our side is pushing back. The unity demos and counter mobilisations show the basis for opposing the far right when they come onto the streets and for mobilising the anti-racist majority to stop Reform UK at the ballot box.
Anti-racist highlights of the week:
Women Against the Far Right Scotland held an organising meeting in Edinburgh on Saturday 22nd November.
Activists reported that this was hugely successful, with a fantastic line up of speakers and focused on a call to action for organising against the far right in Scotland.
Image: Approx 100 people join the organising and mobilising session at the Women Against the Far Right Scotland event in Edinburgh on Saturday 22nd November
LONDON, EAST & SOUTH EAST
Image: Over 130 people join the Stand Up to Racism Portsmouth protest – outnumbering approximately 60 far right on Saturday 22nd November
Eastbourne
An important statement was released by Eastbourne Stand Up to Racism on Monday 17th
Eastbourne Stand Up to Racism statement on a suspected racist murder in our town
Eastbourne Stand Up to Racism are appalled and deeply saddened to learn of the death of 66-year-old Mohamed Senai who died whilst in intensive care in hospital following a despicable assault in Canute Close. Our heartfelt condolences go to the friends and family of Mohamed. A
24-year-old white man has been charged and is in custody. Police have not confirmed that they consider the assault to have been racially motivated and do not yet appear to have upped the charge from assault occasioning grievous bodily harm to murder. Investigations are continuing.
We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community.
The news of Mohamed’s death follows the racist arson attack on Peacehaven Mosque while there were people inside for which two men have been charged with arson with intent to endanger life.
Attempts by the far right to whip up fear and hatred towards Muslims and other minorities will not succeed in dividing our community. The anti-racist majority in our town will continue to stand in solidarity with the Muslim community and all those facing discrimination and hostility
Eastbourne Stand Up to Racism
Lambeth
On Monday 17th November Lambeth Pensioners Action group (LAMPAG) invited SUTR South London to talk about the work they do.
An activist reported that the talk covered:
Campaigns: Refugees and asylum seekers welcome, stop deportations, stop the far right, Anti-Reform UK, Care for Calais (donate a coat), anti-racism work in the workplace and community, Love Music Hate Racism and unity rallies, recent flag raisings in the country.
The group is part of a National Pensions convention – over 1 million members The attendees were diverse, engaging and contributed with experience and views of the current and historical issues facing the anti-racist movement.
Merton
On Wednesday 19th, activists in Merton attended the full council meeting to demand the removal the flags in merton.
Image: activists hold up a ‘Refugees Welcome’ flag in Merton to ask the council to respond to flags being put up in the local area
Ipswich
On Friday 21st, Ipswich LMHR hosted a fantastic gig with over 150 people attending!
On Saturday 22nd approx 70 anti-racists then joined the unity protest in Ipswich in the cold and drizzle. “Lovely speeches, lovely crowd.”
Hillingdon
40 anti-racists in Hillingdon mobilised against the far right on Saturday 22nd to oppose 120 far right activists targeting the Crown Plaza Hotel in West Drayton. Fascist Nick Tenconi was present alongside other far right activists.
An anti-racist activist from the local area highlighted some key points: “It was our first counter. We held it in the face of very serious intimidation including death threats, rape threats and doxxing of the entire steering group online, putting our jobs and families at risk.
We were facing up to a march including UKIP’s Nick Tenconi, missuskent, Southampton patriots and numerous other far right groups from across the UK, boosting local yobs.
The location was geographically remote, a green patch outside 3 asylum hotels on edge of west Drayton, not on a safe high street. 40 brave anti-fascists turned up, including MP John McDonnell, NEU union reps, and stewards who travelled across London to support us, versus approx 120 racists, 15 ‘Auditors’.”
This was particularly important mobilisation as SUTR Hillingdon was only formed 8 weeks ago.
Harlow
Fantastic LMHR gig in Harlow on Sunday 23rd. Around 80 people came along and hundreds of pounds were raised for Stand up to Racism. Thanks to the organisers and all the amazing acts including the brilliant Steve White and the Protest Family!
Portsmouth
0ver 130 people joined the counter-protest called by Stand Up To Racism Portsmouth, against fascists marching in the city on Saturday 22nd.
An activist reported:
“Despite it being billed as a ‘South Coast mobilisation’, with far right and fascist agitators travelling from Bournemouth, Southampton and Basingstoke, the racists only managed to pull in about 60 people.
We followed the fascist march to make sure they couldn’t spread their lies and hate unopposed.
The fascist rally outside the council offices was summed up by their 3 different loudmouths with megaphones shouting indecipherable conspiracy rants over the top of each other. The splits and ego battles among the local far right are becoming more obvious.
SUTR brought the Love Music Hate Racism energy to Guildhall Square with live drumming, bongos, percussion, chanting, singing and dancing.
Massive love and respect to everyone that came out for the demo today, and to the new people who joined us. Special thank you to Southampton SUTR who came down to help us with stewarding and did a fantastic job keeping everyone safe.”
Nuneaton
An activist reported that “At very short notice we still managed to outnumber the Homeland Party in Nuneaton” on Saturday 22nd.
Upcoming activity:
– Monday 24th November – Eastbourne Unity Meeting ○ 6.30pm doors open with music and stalls ○ Eastbourne Blind Society, Longstone Road, Eastbourne
– Tuesday 25th November – Love Music Hate Racism & SUTR at the Fox and Firkin, London ○ https://foxfirkin.com/event/resist-the-rise-of-the-far-right-25th-november-2025/
– Saturday 29th November – Love Music Hate Racism in Sutton ○ 7pm, St Heliers Methodist church
– Saturday 29th November Eastbourne Love Music Hate Racism ○ Louder than Hate – 8pm till late ○ Printers playhouse, 49A Grove Road
– Friday 5 December – Love Music Hate Racism Hastings ○ 7pm, The Pig, 37 white rock Hastings – more details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/rage-against-the-far-right-pla/4212146399104216/
– Saturday 6th December – Women Against the Far right ○ Leafleting at the Arsenal v Liverpool – meet 10.30am at the Little Wonder Cafe, Emirates Stadium
– Sunday 11 January – Love Music Hate Racism Oxford ○ Presents Meryl Streek. The Bullingdon 7pm – tickets here: https://wegottickets.com/event/683893
MIDLANDS
Image: Women Against the Far Right organise a unity protest in Birmingham as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Leicester
On Wednesday 19th, a Leceister sutr activist reports “Leicester SUTR had a fantastic evening yesterday filling row K of The Curve theatre. We were attending a production of We Are The
Lions Mr Manager- a true tale about the Grunwick Strike of 1976 powerfully reflecting determination, resistance and unity in the face of racism.
The lessons are still so relevant and we left with admiration for the strikers and a renewed sense of hope for what can be achieved when workers unite.
We were invited to have a SUTR stall in the foyer which gave us the opportunity to hand out literature and stickers and most importantly to talk with local people about the racist struggle today. People received our stall positively, some left names, some made donations but all were pleased to see that the fight against racism is very much alive in Leicester.”
Derby
On Saturday 22nd, one community, celebrating Diverse Derby outnumbered the far right 2- 1!
Chesterfield
An activist reported that “Very good reception to our stall in Chesterfield market square today.[Sunday 23rd] Very busy because it’s switch on Christmas Lights. Gave out hundreds of stickers and postcards for our counter demo next Sunday”
Birmingham
Birmingham Women Against the Far Right hosted a Unity Rally on Sunday 23rd with approx 250 in attendance activists reported it was extremely successful and was for the International day for the elimination of violence against women.
Upcoming activity:
– Friday 5th December – Coventry, Music of Defiance ○ Coventry – Music of Defiance. Free entry – 6pm-1am, The Box, Fargo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED
NORTH EAST, YORKSHIRE & HUMBER
Image: A successful unity protest in Hull on Saturday 22nd November
Newcastle
Around 100 anti-racists opposed around 60 far right and fascists at the Newbridge Hotel in Newcastle on Saturday 22nd – 17 weeks in a row!
Hull
On Saturday 22nd, activists mobilised in Hull for a successful unity protest!
Sheffield
Between 1,000 and 1200 people joined the unity protest in Sheffield on Saturday 22nd.
An activist reported “Hundreds of people marched through Sheffield in a show of unity against racism and hatred on Saturday. The demonstration was backed by over 60 local organisations and came on the back of a mobilisation against the far right UKIP two weeks ago.
The closing rally was addressed by Dave Pike (TUC Region), Huw Thomas (local vicar), a green councillor and Palestine activists. The anti racist movement in Sheffield has grown off the back of confronting the far right and calling for unity. We hope to keep building along these lines to stop Robinson, Farage and the rest”.
Leeds
Report from Seacroft in Leeds from Saturday 22nd: “about 40 SUTR and slightly less far right this week. Our side was joined by Richard Burgon MP who gave a speech in which he criticised the government policy outlined by Shabana Mahmood earlier this week.
The Bishop of Kirkstall visited too and has concerns that Tommy Robinson has put out another call for people to attend a rally. The clergy also visited the far right demonstrators to talk to them.
Numbers were up on both sides due to the change of the day. We have asked to move where we meet so that SUTR are against the hotel. This will also mean that the residents will be hearing our joyful chants and singing rather than the hatred of the far right”
Upcoming activity:
– Wednesday 26th November – Newcastle Unity in Our community meeting ○ Details here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1851282157769
– Friday 28th November – Hull Love Music Hate Racism ○ Hull Love Music Hate Racism. 7:30pm until late, The Polar Bear Club
– Saturday 8th November – Sheffield ‘Keep our city Nazi free’ Stop UKIP ○ 12pm at Sheffield Cathedral, S1 1HA
NORTH WEST
Image: 250 anti-racists stand in unity in Stockport on Saturday 22nd November
Stockport
250 joined an important Unity Rally in Stockport on Saturday 22nd.
Upcoming activity:
– Saturday 29th November – Manchester Open Meeting ○ Against the prevent duty in Manchester- organised by Amnesty International ○ 14.15, Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St
SCOTLAND
Image: Over 100 people joined the Women Against Far Right Scotland Organising meeting in Edinburgh on Saturday 22nd November
Edinburgh
In Edinburgh on Friday 21st, there was a successful counterprotest of all students against the attempts made by the recently formed Reform UK society on campus to establish themselves, and their recent attempt to host Jack Anderton, so-called Gen Z for Farage, in the city.
“We forced 2 venues to cancel on them, and then with around 30 students gathering this cold Friday evening, we eventually pushed them to cancel their event all together! Antiracists 1, Reform UK 0!!!”
Women Against the Far Right Scotland
On Saturday 22nd Women Against the Far Right Scotland organised a meeting in Edinburgh
An activist reported “We had an incredible women against the far right organising meeting in Edinburgh today!
Over 100 people joined us for panel discussions on fighting the far right in local areas, with speakers from Falkirk for All, Perth against Racism & the Erskine campaign, as well as the far right threat to women, with Rape Crisis Scotland, Engender and Amina Muslim Women Resource Centre. We had hands-on organising workshops and wonderful performances from Hannah Lavery and Bee Asha!
Our message today is clear: we refuse to let the far right win. We refuse to let Reform UK gain victories in the Holyrood 2026 elections. We will stand together to defeat the far right in the streets and in the ballot box
We will be proudly marching in the #womenagainstfarright blocs at the St Andrews day anti-racist march and rally on Saturday 29th November, and at the Falkirk unity rally on 6th December. Join us”
Upcoming activity:
– Wednesday 26th November – Students Women Against the Far right Glasgow ○ 6.30pm Dram! – banner making for St Andrews protest and for Falkirk Unity protest
– Saturday 29th November – St Andrews Day march against racism. Glasgow
– Saturday 6th December – Reject Division, Hate and fascism – Inverness ○ Cameron Barracks, 1.30pm, Inverness
– Saturday 6th December – Falkirk Unity March & Rally ○ 11am, in front of Callendar House, Callander Park.
– Saturday 6th December – Freedom Karaoke 3, Glasgow ○ The Rumshack, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow. 8pm till late
SOUTH WEST
Image: 1500+ anti-racists march in Exeter in unity against the far right, outnumbering the 100 far right activists on Saturday 22nd November
Bournemouth
A SUTR activist reported that on Friday 21st “After the aggression last week we turned out 50 in Bournemouth tonight (including drummers and a lobster!), the far right numbered less than 30. Very good atmosphere on our side. It felt like a win tonight after a few weeks of falling numbers.”
Exeter
A local anti-racist activist reported on the hugely successful unity rally on Saturday 22nd “Just four weeks after 1,000 people opposed a far right march of 160, we had to do it all over again. Only this time 120 rain-bedraggled from the far right were confronted by 1,600 who marched through the city centre and then rallied to give the racists the greeting they deserve.
Organisations and trade unions from across the city supported the rally and march which, despite the rain, was a vibrant, cheerful and diverse expression of united opposition to a soggy gaggle of an ex-Reform councillor, racists and hard core Nazis.
Consistently outnumbering their ‘pickets’ of the city migrant hotel over 16 weeks has given us a solid base on which to build. Now begins the work of building a movement that crosses the whole city”
Upcoming activity:
– Saturday 6th December Plymouth is anti-fascist – Counter protest: 10am, the sundial, Plymouth
WALES
Upcoming activity:
– Thursday 20th November – Caerphilly Public meeting ○ Lessons from Caerphilly- How to defeat the far right ○ 5.30-7.30pm – Twyn Community Centre, Caerphilly.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE MONITORING GROUP
The monitoring group was aware of far right activists who have been mobilising around schools in Scotland who have been providing ESOL classes. As a result Scotland SUTR groups are aware of the nature of far right figures involved in these protests.
The monitoring group can provide detailed information on far right activists – some with information about their history and links to other far right figures that can help local anti-racists in planning on how to respond to the threat of the far right.
Further information from the SUTR Scotland group about the response to thi threat will be provided in next week’s round up.