The New Religious Face of British Right-Wing Politics
Thousands of demonstrators marched through central London on 13 September 2025 for the 'unite the kingdom rally', signalling a significant development in British political discourse. The event, organized by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, featured prominent Christian symbolism with pastors delivering speeches and leading worship songs, mirroring the style of US evangelical mass politics.
From Prison Conversions to Political Strategy
The political landscape has witnessed remarkable transformations in recent months. Tommy Robinson embraced evangelical Christianity while incarcerated at HMP Woodhill, with British evangelical pastor Rikki Doolan witnessing his conversion. Meanwhile, former Conservative MP Danny Kruger spoke in parliament about needing Britain's restoration through "recovery of a Christian politics" before joining Reform UK.
Reform UK has strengthened its religious connections by appointing James Orr, described as JD Vance's "English philosopher king", as a senior adviser. Party leader Nigel Farage now regularly calls for a return to "Judeo-Christian" values, marking a distinct shift in the British right's rhetorical approach.
US Influence and Legal Strategy
Powerful American organizations are increasingly viewing Britain as fertile ground for their movements. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), known for its role in overturning Roe v Wade in the United States, has more than doubled its spending in Britain since 2020 while quadrupling its UK-based team.
ADF UK has provided legal support to conservative Christians facing court action for illegally praying in abortion clinic "buffer zones". The group frames these cases as free speech issues, part of what the New York Times reported as its "long-term strategy to shift public opinion around abortion".
This strategy emerges despite recent surveys showing most British people support legal abortion. However, concerning generational divides have appeared, with less than half of men aged 16-34 believing abortion should be legal in all or most cases, compared to 82% of men aged 55-77.
International Connections and Internal Divisions
ADF's influence extends beyond legal support, having secured Nigel Farage a platform before the House judiciary committee in Washington DC in September, where he described the "awful authoritarian" situation for free speech in the UK during a nearly three-hour appearance.
However, not all Christians align with this political movement. In October, Neville Watson, Reform UK's only black branch chair, defected to the Christian People's Alliance, shocked by the Islamophobia at the "unite the kingdom" rally. He declared those present were advancing "an ideology that is not Christian", indicating emerging divisions within the movement.
The growing alliance between British political figures and US-style Christian conservatism represents a significant challenge to Britain's traditionally secular political culture, with potentially far-reaching consequences for social policy and religious freedom.
