Fascism is gaining ground in the United Kingdom, according to Arun Arora, the bishop of Kirkstall in Leeds, who has condemned the "twisted theology" employed by self-described "Christian patriots" who staged demonstrations at south coast ports over the weekend.
The protesters, organised by a group calling itself Patriot Platform and described as a "Christian patriotic army", gathered at Dover and Portsmouth. According to government statements, approximately 150 people assembled at the Port of Dover on Saturday morning, while more than 200 gathered at Portsmouth harbour later that evening. No arrests were made at either location, though investigations remain ongoing. The Dover demonstration caused a four-mile traffic jam, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary opened an investigation into assaults on officers and criminal damage at Portsmouth.
The agitators were led by Daniel "Danny Tommo" Thomas, a former bodyguard of far-right influencer Tommy Robinson, and were heard chanting "Christ is King."
Arora characterised the incidents in Dover and Portsmouth as part of an increasingly alarming pattern of disruption designed "to tear the social fabric of our country" throughout 2026. He linked these demonstrations to earlier disorder following a killing in Southampton, anti-migration protests in Thetford, and a recent incident in Lancashire, describing them collectively as "the first steps on the journey to open fascist nationalism that takes pride in conflict, hostility and division".
Speaking at a Lambeth Palace event this week, Arora delivered a stark assessment of the threat facing the nation.
"The biggest threat to England's fabric today is to be found in the tidal wave of nationalism that threatens to destroy the foundations of community, to devastate social cohesion and threaten any sense of unity within this United Kingdom,"he said.
He went on to characterise recent street violence as a manifestation of what he termed "Machtpolitik" – an ideology asserting that might is right – which endangers both targeted communities and the nation's way of life.
"What we have seen on our streets in Southampton, in Belfast, in Thetford, in Portsmouth, in Dover is the playing out of a new Machtpolitik – the ideology that argues that might is right – that threatens not only those of us who are likely to be targeted or attacked but threatens our way of life as a country."
Arora drew a historical parallel to the 1930s, warning that the current moment represents something more dangerous than the racism of earlier decades.
"This goes beyond the racism that many of us grew up with in the 1970s. Rather it is a return to the 1930s, where those dressed in [uniform] under the banner of fascism."
How is the Church responding to Christian nationalism?
The Church of England must confront what Arora termed the "sinful idolatry" and "twisted theology" of so-called Christian nationalists, who he accused of treating the cross of Christ as a mere fashion accessory while abandoning Jesus's message of love.
"We need to be consistent and unequivocal in our theology that there is no national flag that sits atop the cross …. Fascism is on the rise."
Arora made his remarks at the Lambeth Palace event, which was hosted alongside his co-lead bishop for racial justice, Rosemarie Mallett, and the archbishops of Canterbury and York. The gathering was organised to celebrate the contributions of the Church of England's diverse clergy, ordinands and lay ministers. Arora and Mallett were appointed as joint lead bishops for racial justice to act as advocates across the Church of England and to promote recommendations from the anti-racism taskforce report "From Lament to Action", published five years before this event.
Sarah Mullally, the archbishop of Canterbury, acknowledged the gravity of the moment.
"I think we're all becoming aware that we have created a society where people feel that it is acceptable to intimidate others. I think there is an increasing responsibility on Christian leaders to speak up and not be silent, because silence itself encourages a society in which people think it's alright to intimidate in this way."
What incidents have prompted these warnings?
The church leaders' concerns have been sharpened by recent confrontations. Rosemarie Mallett highlighted an incident in which Rev Canon Dr Richard Frith was surrounded by anti-immigration protesters inside Doncaster Minster after claims that church bells had drowned out their rally.
"Conflict is being brought directly into our sacred spaces,"Mallett said.
She drew connections between this episode and the broader pattern of unrest.
"In the same week that hundreds of masked vigilantes marched on Dover and Portsmouth, and a vicar has been surrounded by anti-immigration protesters at Doncaster Minster, it is clear racial justice is more needed than ever. Fear of the stranger is being performed as a public spectacle. The church can tell the truth about history, protect the dignity of radicalised people, and offer a theological vision of belonging that lives out Jesus's call to welcome the stranger."
The Dover and Portsmouth demonstrations were part of a broader pattern of far-right activism that has intensified in 2026. Earlier in the year, violent protests erupted in Northern Ireland following a stabbing in Belfast, with far-right activists calling for demonstrations that led to unrest and vehicle fires. These events have occurred against a backdrop of increasingly divisive political rhetoric, including calls from prominent figures to restrict religious practices.
What happens next?
The government has indicated that investigations into the south coast protests remain active. Officials have stated that anyone identified as responsible for criminal activity should expect consequences as inquiries proceed.
Key Facts
- Around 150 protesters gathered at Dover port and more than 200 at Portsmouth harbour on the weekend, with no arrests made at either location
- The demonstrations were organised by Patriot Platform, a group describing itself as a "Christian patriotic army"
- Arun Arora and Rosemarie Mallett serve as joint lead bishops for racial justice in the Church of England
- Church leaders have warned that Christian nationalist groups are misusing religious symbols and theology to justify far-right activism
- Investigations into assaults on officers and criminal damage at Portsmouth are ongoing
