UNITE THE KINGDOM: THE LONDON MARCH

London yesterday saw me in attendance, with friends from Free Speech Backlash. We met by Blackfriars Bridge, where the crowds were enormous. The official estimate of 150,000 is for Whitehall and those watching the stage. The whole of central London was packed, over Westminster Bridge, up Stamford Street and back over Blackfriars Bridge, and beyond. Just doing a very rough calculation, that multiplies it by about 5 to 10. Also around Waterloo Station.

And look at the crime figures above, for Saturday! Of the 25 arrests, a policeman told me 16 were from the counter-demonstrators, whose numbers were about 5,000. Even if we accept the 150,000 number, that makes the crime rate amongst the Unite the Kingdom 1 in 17,000. And for the ‘peaceful pro-immigration’ crowd? 1 in 300. Which makes the latter group more than 50 times as violent! Yet guess which group hasn’t had headlines about it, condemning their violence?

I'd say the total attendance was 750,000 minimum, 1.5 million maximum: so a low estimate is 1 million. The numbers game is interesting. The police definitely said 1 - 2 million, on Saturday, then it was changed dramatically down. Now they're saying it couldn't possibly be near to a million, due to street capacities - widths etc. And the MSM are slavishly repeating this, whilst also reminding that ‘over a million attended the 2003 Iraq war marches.’

But The Guardian (of all papers) were originally claiming over a million for Unite the Kingdom. And here’s why, from their aerial footage, below. Note it doesn’t include Whitehall, Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge. Nor Blackfriars Bridge, then further back!

AERIAL FOOTAGE OF MARCH

And here’s Westminster Bridge:

Note, the BBC claim about 100,000! And their articles find time to interview some of the maybe 5,000 counter-demonstrators (I saw none) but nobody on the march. I guess we're all right-wing thugs! But I spoke to dozens and not one said anything racist. Five things were very obvious:

1. A loathing for Islam, with most stressing this didn't mean hating Muslims.

2. An incredible number of younger people who'd 'found God' and were carrying wooden crosses. I'm culturally a Christian but a reluctant atheist. One young father (of 25) explained he'd started attending, since there was 'nothing else to believe in and give meaning'. Ditto for this march?

3. The huge number of Welsh, Scottish and Irish - often joining in with the 'England' chants. And singing 'Jerusalem'. I had a long chat with a delightful ex-Scottish Nationalist, who felt the issue had obliterated intra-British differences, in the face of some external threat.

4. The conspicuous good-humour and politeness, especially as so many families, children, veterans and old people were there. At 61, I myself was creeping into that category, and had many younger types asking if I was ok: I kept getting cramp from all the standing around (see later for the relevance of this).

5. The constant reek of dope.

There were many black and Asian attendees too, most showing signs of being Christian. It's true there were also some obvious 'football lads' but all polite, if not (thankfully) the types you'd see in Waitrose; nor will you see me there! I witnessed no yobbery at all, just moderate drunkenness.

The most common discussion was on why we were there. Most said they had to be, to meet others who felt the same and because a free-speech and two-tier tipping point had been reached. The slaughter of Charlie Kirk provided the final push, especially in many left-wing reactions to it.

We set off from The Mad Hatter, Stamford Street at 11:30 and it took two hours to get to Westminster Bridge. Mostly standing still, as the police were allegdly preventing people leaving the other end. I’m not sure that's true but without doubt the frustration was deliberate, to thin out crowds.

What a drenching on Westminster Bridge! But it wasn't blocked - just jammed - and I got through past Parliament into Whitehall. I'm sure the people turning back had been told misinformation: many people said they'd seen this going on. It was quite easy after that to get near the stage, for Tommy Robinson speaking at 3pm. Best speaker was the little girl who wore the Union Dress and the Danish chap - plus loads of other visitors from abroad. Ben Habib was also especially good, on how all mainstream politicians were boycotting the event. He'd been scolded for attending - 'why are you going?' when the real question was - 'why aren't most MPs here?'.

Two very interesting things:

1) TR was told late on Thurs that the speeches etc were all cancelled, Westminster Council withdrew the performance licence. He had frantic meetings with Met, explaining this was being done to ensure aggro, as millions would still turn up. The Met overruled the Council, agreeing with him.

2) Robinson also revealed he is ‘de-banked’ by every bank and building society in the UK. Incredible - this is a basic human necessity, and banks allow accounts even for serial killers and Labour MPs (the groups overlap).

Most police were notably friendly and one said to me: 'Well done!'. TR reported their words, that behaviour had been exemplary. But I saw some police (about 6.30pm) in Trafalgar Square seemingly trying to provoke/allow clashes with the counter-demonstrators. Interestingly, a different looking lot, in ‘Territorial Support Group’ vehicles. This is the trouble that's made the news. I guess someone in the Home Office was pissed off at the lack of trouble - in marked contrast to the ‘mostly peaceful’ violence routinely seen (and tolerated) at BLM and Hamas marches in London.

The 'Anti Racists' were a few thousand, and treated like royalty by the police. Some of the 'Territorial Support Group' were engineering a confrontation. I walked past the southern edge of Nelson's Column, and a huge number of them (also standing in The Strand) seemed to be following some plan, confronting a few flag wavers.

I stood and watched for a few minutes. It was obvious police were on some co-ordinated operation, from their use of sheets and walkie-talkies. The odd thing was how I couldn't seen any Antifa at all; indeed, I saw none the whole day. Not at any station, nor on the streets, nor in any pub or cafe. I'm convinced they were being ferried around.

I also spoke to an elderly chap who'd seen some pushing and shoving at the Parliament Square end of Westminster Bridge, about 2:30pm. Out of the blue, a new policeman appeared and punched someone full out. This assailant then rapidly vanished, before people even grasped what had happened.

No riot erupted but this seems to have been some planned action, by a few 'specialist' police. The elderly witness could have been lying, but seemed very moderate and totally believable.

After the event finished, with a black Gospel Choir singing, I eventually made my way to the legendary Ship and Shovel, under the arches (or near) at Charing Cross, for several pints! Packed with fascinating characters, a group from Epping who'd been in the thick of the hotel protests - with cell-phone clips. The police dragging people off were dressed - and had vehicles - identical to the ones I'd seen in Trafalgar Square.

On the train back from Paddington, I chatted for ages to a delightful pair of Ethiopian sisters, who were Evangelical! They were fascinated by the rally and beaming at how Christian it was. The elderly one tried to convert me, claiming our meeting was pre-ordained! We'd met because I started sympathising with her about the terrible attack of cramp she came down with, entering the carriage.

The Lord moves in mysterious ways, for sure…

But I had to gently assure her that I was still a sinner - doubtless to some, I’m a far-right maniac!