politics
Conservative Leader Backs Decision to Block 11 Activists from Entering UK Ahead of London Rally
Kemi Badenoch said the government has the right to prevent entry by individuals it believes will cause problems. The decision applies to 11 people barred from a Unite the Kingdom rally expected to draw 80,000 demonstrators in London on Saturday. Police plan to deploy 4,000 officers, helicopters and facial recognition technology for the event, which coincides with a pro-Palestine march.
May 16, 7:04 AM·2m read1 source
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Speaking to GB News, the Conservative Party leader said she did not know the identities of those barred. She stated that a government has the right to keep people out of the country if officials think they are going to cause problems. Badenoch added that greater consistency in handling small boats and problematic migrants would increase respect for the approach.
She reiterated that she would not complain about efforts to prevent troublemakers from entering. The rally is expected to draw around 80,000 demonstrators to London. It will take place alongside a pro-Palestine Nakba Day march.
News host Charlie Peters asked Badenoch whether she shared criticisms that authorities were focusing too much on the Unite the Kingdom rally while not applying similar scrutiny to the pro-Palestine protest on the same day. Badenoch responded that it is time to ban certain marches.
She said they are creating a climate of fear and intimidation for Jewish people and cited incidents including attempted murders in Golders Green and events in Manchester. She added that she remains worried about anti-Semitism and believes authorities need to get serious about tackling it.
Ahead of the demonstration, officials declared that the country is in a fight for its soul. They described the Unite the Kingdom march as a reminder of what the country faces and said its organisers are peddling hatred and division. The statement said authorities will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence.
