The Inside Story Podcast What's behind the anti-immigration protests in the UK?
Sep 15, 2025
In a riveting discussion, Peter Geoghegan, Editor of Democracy for Sale, Jennifer Nadel, Director of Compassion in Politics, and political writer Tariq Ali delve into the surge of anti-immigration protests in the UK. They unpack the far-right roots of these demonstrations, spotlighting key figures and their influence on public sentiment. The trio critiques the government's disconnect with citizens and highlights the role of social media in amplifying divisive ideologies. They call for a more inclusive narrative to counter rising xenophobia.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Far-Right Views Moving Toward The Mainstream
- The London rally showed far-right ideas moving from the margins into mainstream political discourse in the UK.
- High-profile amplification (eg. Elon Musk) and party debates made extreme talking points feel normalised.
Economic Anger Redirected At Migration
- Jennifer Nadel argues economic disaffection and a vacuum of positive government vision fuelled the turnout.
- She says many marchers blamed migration instead of economic causes despite that not being true.
Mainstream Parties' Rhetoric Helps The Far Right
- Tariq Ali says Labour has been pandering to Reform UK's positions, which strengthens the far right.
- He argues governmental rhetoric like "we feel like strangers on this island" helps build the movement.