As far-right movements gain traction across the UK, Birmingham United Against Racism is calling on communities to unite in defiance of Reform UK’s dangerous and divisive agenda.
On March 28, 2025, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has boasted that his party will hold its largest rally yet at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. In response, anti-racist campaigners, community groups, and trade unions from across the West Midlands have come together to resist this attempt to spread hate and division.
A Rising Threat to Community Cohesion
Founded by Farage in 2018, Reform UK has rapidly evolved from a Brexit-focused movement into a far-right platform built on nationalism, anti-immigration rhetoric, and misinformation. With growing financial backing from elite donors and a surge in membership, the party masquerades as anti-establishment while serving the interests of the wealthy and powerful.
Reform UK’s populist messaging scapegoats migrants, refugees, Muslims, and minority communities for economic hardship, diverting attention from corporate greed and systemic inequalities. Birmingham United Against Racism warns that this rhetoric is not just harmful—it poses an existential threat to social cohesion and democracy.
“Reform UK presents itself as a party for the people, but in reality, it is a political tool for the rich and powerful, using fear and scapegoating to deflect from the real causes of economic hardship,” said Bob Moloney from Stand Up To Racism, an organiser with Birmingham United Against Racism. “History teaches us that whenever far-right movements gain momentum, it is working-class communities, migrants, and the most vulnerable who suffer the most. We stand together to reject their dangerous agenda and defend the rights of all.”
Birmingham Stands for Unity, Not Hate
Birmingham has a proud history of standing up to racism and fascism. From the anti-racist struggles of the 1970s and 1980s to today’s campaigns for justice and equality, the city has remained a beacon of diversity, solidarity, and resistance. The planned protest and Unity Rally will send a powerful message: Birmingham will not be a platform for far-right extremism.
“We are sending a clear message: Birmingham will not be a platform for racism and division,” said Jagwant Johal, convenor of the Birmingham Race Impact Group. “This city has a proud legacy of resisting racism and fascism—from confronting the National Front in the 1970s to standing against injustice today. Birmingham is, and will remain, an anti-racist city built on unity, solidarity, and justice.”
Reform UK has not only attacked migrant communities but has also aligned itself with policies that directly harm working-class people. The party:
- Advocates tax breaks for the wealthy while proposing £50 billion in cuts to the NHS, education, and social care—devastating for ordinary workers.
- Reform UK’s policy to dismantle the NHS and reduce welfare support will seriously damage the lives of all those with a disability in our communities.
- Denies the man-made climate crisis, opposing environmental policies that would protect future generations.
“Farage and Reform UK wrap themselves in populist rhetoric, but their policies expose them for what they really are—a party for the privileged few,” said John Cooper of the Birmingham Climate Justice Campaign. “While they claim to stand with ordinary people, they advocate for tax cuts for the rich while slashing £50 billion from essential services like the NHS and education. On top of this, their reckless climate denialism puts future generations at risk. They are not anti-establishment—they are the establishment, looking after their own while workers and communities pay the price. We must resist their dangerous politics and fight for a just and sustainable future.”
“Reform UK’s £50 billion cuts would be devastating for disabled people like me”. Said Kim Taylor disability rights activist from SUTR. “It’s not just numbers on a budget sheet—these cuts will mean longer NHS waiting times, fewer carers, and less support to live independently. Many of us already struggle to access the healthcare, benefits, and services we need, and this will push even more disabled people into poverty and isolation. We’ve fought for decades for our rights, but these cuts would undo that progress overnight. Reform UK claims to stand for ordinary people, but their policies will leave disabled communities abandoned and forgotten.”
Join Us – Protest & Unity Rally Details
📍 Assemble: Utilita Arena entrance – 6:00 PM
📍 March: To Centenary Square – 7:00 PM
📍 Unity Rally: Live music & speakers – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Community leaders, trade unions, anti-racist campaigners, students, and concerned citizens are urged to attend the upcoming Unity Rally—a powerful gathering of voices against division and hate.
The rally will feature inspiring speeches from activists, electrifying cultural performances, and a celebration of Birmingham’s vibrant diversity. The Unity Rally programme showcases a dynamic line-up of local talent, including one of Birmingham’s leading reggae bands, Friendly Fire Band, whose track ‘It’s a Brum Ting ‘was selected by the BBC as the theme for their Commonwealth Games coverage.
Joining them on stage will be:
- Internationally acclaimed tabla virtuoso Dalbir Rattan Singh, performing alongside his master musician collaborator.
- The politically charged Banner Theatre, Britain’s foremost workers’ theatre and music company.
- The outspoken dub poet Moqapi Selassie, delivering hard-hitting spoken-word performances.
- The energetic and colourful Dhole players and bhangra dancers from Gabhru Panjab De
A Call to Action Against Division
“We cannot sit back when racists march into Birmingham,” declared Myki Tuff of Friendly Fire Band. “Reggae is built on the principles of peace, love, and unity. When groups like Reform UK seek to divide us, we must respond by coming together—standing as one in the fight for justice and equality.”
A Legacy of Resistance
“As a Sikh, my heritage is deeply rooted in the fight for the oppressed,” said Dalbir Singh, also known as Tabla Jedi. “Our ancestors—Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus from the subcontinent—stood shoulder to shoulder against fascism in both World Wars. Today, I am proud to carry that legacy forward, performing at the Unity Rally alongside friends from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, united in our stand against hate.”
Decades of Solidarity in Struggle
“For over 50 years, we have stood with workers on the picket lines and with young people on the frontlines of inner-city struggles,” said Dave Rogers of Banner Theatre. “On the 28th, we will raise our voices in song—honouring the long history of working-class resistance to fascism and the ruling class that seeks to divide us.”
Birmingham United Against Racism is calling on all individuals and organisations who stand for justice and equality to mobilise. This is a pivotal moment in the fight against the far right’s growing influence. If Reform UK is allowed to spread its dangerous ideology unchecked, it will undermine the hard-fought rights and freedoms of countless communities.
“We must come together, not just in protest, but to uphold the values of equality, justice, and solidarity,” said Mukhtar Dar from Kings Heath United Against Racism. “This is not just about rejecting hate—it is about defending the society we want to build. A society where no one is vilified for their race, religion, or background, where diversity is celebrated, and where communities stand strong against division. Reform UK seeks to fracture our unity, but we will respond with an even louder message: we are proud of our city, our people, and our shared future. In unity, we will always be stronger than hate.”