Anti-migrant activists in Britain have adopted new tactics, including organized displays of strength near ports and road blockades, a strategy that organizers say is intended to influence political parties and draw parallels with the growing "Christian nationalism" movement in the United States. The group, calling itself Patriot Platform, organized actions in Dover and Portsmouth over a recent weekend, employing disciplined ranks of men dressed in black, some wearing balaclavas, to block roads and confront coaches carrying asylum seekers.
One demonstration involved dozens of men arriving in lorries in a quiet Kent village before proceeding to Dover. Witnesses described the scene as intimidating, with participants chanting slogans such as "Christ is King" and "Stop the Boats." A Dover resident told the BBC that the organized, paramilitary-style display felt like an invasion.
Danny Thomas, identified as a main organizer for Patriot Platform, referred to the Dover event as a "warning" on social media. This marked a departure from previous, more chaotic street protests seen in the UK. The group claims to be building a working-class "voting bloc" to persuade right-wing political parties to adopt their agenda. Some of Patriot Platform's tactics appear to be inspired by environmental activist groups like Just Stop Oil, while its leadership also draws ideas and funding from the U.S. "Christian nationalism" movement.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood met with senior police officers to discuss the implications of these new tactics, urging law enforcement to use their full powers to stop activists wearing face coverings. She noted the fear factor generated by individuals dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, stating that this differentiated the protests from others and required lessons to be learned by authorities.
The organized nature of the protests, with participants arriving covertly and staging visually striking displays, suggests a shift towards a more strategic approach by hard-right and far-right groups in Britain.