
The women of Epping don't need Tommy Robinson's help
Even Robinson doesn't seem able to make his mind up about what to do. On Sunday, he tweeted: 'Hear you loud and clear, I'm coming to Epping next Sunday ladies and bringing thousands more with me'. By lunchtime on Monday, Robinson appeared to have had second thoughts, posting a video in which he appeared to backtrack. The far-right activist said that, despite people asking him to go to Epping, he thinks it 'may not benefit the cause'. He went on to describe the Epping protests – which erupted after the arrest and charge of an asylum seeker last week on suspicion of alleged sexual assaults in the town – as involving 'local families, local women, local mothers, local children'. He noted that his presence might give the authorities an 'excuse' to 'label it a different way'. Robinson might be desperate for attention, but he isn't stupid.
Many locals in Epping would certainly prefer Robinson stays away. Monday night's peaceful protest began with the striking sight of a line of women holding hands and chanting 'protect our kids'. They waved hand-made signs with slogans such as 'Make England safe again', 'I'm not far right – I'm worried about my kids' and 'deport foreign criminals'.
Orla Minihane is one local mum who is worried. A Reform council candidate, she found herself giving an impromptu speech on Thursday, as violent clashes were beginning between locals, counterprotestors from Stand up to Racism, and police. Speaking through a megaphone, Orla described the crowd as 'good, local, taxpaying people', who 'don't want trouble, don't want fights', but who oppose the presence of hundreds of strange, threatening men in their community.
When I spoke with Orla she made it clear to me that the community's concerns are not about race: 'I wouldn't care if they were from Iceland, blonde, blue-eyed and Christian. At the end of the day, they're strange men who nobody has checked'.
She described increasing fears in the Epping area over the past year, as women have reported being followed home and blatant shoplifting has soared. There have been reports of men approaching young girls outside schools. Yet the authorities seem reluctant to provide specific details about the men involved, adding to the suspicion and distrust felt by the local community.
For many locals, the arrest and charge of an asylum seeker this month was the final straw.
Reform leader Nigel Farage has said that most of the protestors in Epping are 'genuinely concerned families', before warning that politicians shouldn't 'underestimate the simmering anger and disgust…that we are letting in every week hundreds of undocumented young males from cultures where women and girls are not even treated as second class citizens'. Farage went on to say 'I don't think anybody in London even understands how close we are to civil disobedience on a vast scale in this country'.
Perhaps Tommy Robinson won't turn up in Epping. Or perhaps his love of the limelight will draw him there. If he does attend next Sunday though, it would likely mean significantly more violence. Stand Up To Racism have already announced a 'No to fascist Tommy Robinson' protest to begin in Epping next Sunday afternoon. If they, and Robinson's followers, attend in large numbers, large-scale disorder may be inevitable. This would be in no one's interests, and would harm the local campaign, likely allow the government to paint all opposition to migrant hotels as 'far right' and do nothing to make the women and girls of Epping safe. Let's hope Robinson stays away, and the peaceful, local voices are heard.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

South Wales Argus
18 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Corbyn promises ‘new kind of party' as he launches as-yet unnamed venture
The former Labour leader has called for a 'mass redistribution of wealth and power' as he encouraged people to sign up on Thursday. In a statement posted on X, the pair said that it is time for a party 'that is rooted in our communities, trade unions and social movements' and 'belongs to you'. Jeremy Corbyn promised a party 'that belongs to you' (Jordan Pettitt/PA) At the moment there is no agreement on the party's name, but Mr Corbyn denied that the launch had been 'messy'. The movement has the website with a welcome message saying 'this is your party' – but Ms Sultana said: 'It's not called Your Party.' It comes after Ms Sultana said she was launching the party with Mr Corbyn earlier this month, but the former Labour leader appeared unready to formally announce the move until now. It's time for a new kind of political party – one that belongs to you. Sign up at — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 24, 2025 Speaking to reporters, it was put to Mr Corbyn that the party 'looked a bit messy', to which the former Labour leader said: 'It's not messy at all. It's a totally coherent approach. 'It's democratic, it's grassroots and it's open.' He also said that he and Coventry South MP Ms Sultana are 'working very well together'. Unlike Reform, we're doing things differently with democracy & inclusivity at the core. From the launch to the party, conference, structures & yes – even the name! – we're building it together. It might feel unfamiliar to you. It's called democracy. 🔗 — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 24, 2025 Asked why it was him alone doing broadcast media to launch the party, and also asked where Ms Sultana was, he said: 'We're working absolutely together on this. 'She happens to be, as far as I know at this moment, in Coventry. 'I was in touch with her just a few moments ago. So it's all fine. We're working very well together, all of us.' Zarah Sultana has formed the party with Jeremy Corbyn (Yui Mok/PA) An inaugural conference will take place for members to 'decide the party's direction, the model of leadership and the policies that are needed to transform society', the X statement said. Mr Corbyn told reporters that the conference will 'hopefully' take place mid-autumn and that he wants the name of the new project to be 'inclusive' and 'bring people in'. Asked what the new name would be, he said: 'We're going to decide when we've had all the responses, and so far the response rate has been massive. 'They've been coming in at 500 a minute wanting to support and join the new party.' Mr Corbyn was forced to shield himself with a large black umbrella amid a downpour following a broadcast appearance to announce the new party outside Islington Town Hall. He was stopped at one point by a couple getting married at the venue who said it was 'great' to meet him and asked to take a picture with him, followed by a man who shouted: 'Yes Jezza' at the former Labour leader. Adnan Hussain, the independent MP for Blackburn who was elected last summer, appeared to give his backing to the project, posting an image of Mr Corbyn's and Ms Sultana's statements on X, adding 'let's do this'. A Labour source said: 'The electorate has twice given its verdict on a Jeremy Corbyn-led party.' Mr Corbyn led the Labour Party from 2015 to 2020 before being suspended following a row over a report into antisemitism in the party. He was expelled in 2024 and successfully contested the summer election as an Independent candidate. Ms Sultana had the Labour whip withdrawn after rebelling against the Government to vote to scrap the two-child benefit cap shortly after the general election. She resigned her Labour membership in 2025.

Leader Live
18 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Corbyn promises ‘new kind of party' as he launches as-yet unnamed venture
The former Labour leader has called for a 'mass redistribution of wealth and power' as he encouraged people to sign up on Thursday. In a statement posted on X, the pair said that it is time for a party 'that is rooted in our communities, trade unions and social movements' and 'belongs to you'. At the moment there is no agreement on the party's name, but Mr Corbyn denied that the launch had been 'messy'. The movement has the website with a welcome message saying 'this is your party' – but Ms Sultana said: 'It's not called Your Party.' It comes after Ms Sultana said she was launching the party with Mr Corbyn earlier this month, but the former Labour leader appeared unready to formally announce the move until now. It's time for a new kind of political party – one that belongs to you. Sign up at — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 24, 2025 Speaking to reporters, it was put to Mr Corbyn that the party 'looked a bit messy', to which the former Labour leader said: 'It's not messy at all. It's a totally coherent approach. 'It's democratic, it's grassroots and it's open.' He also said that he and Coventry South MP Ms Sultana are 'working very well together'. Unlike Reform, we're doing things differently with democracy & inclusivity at the core. From the launch to the party, conference, structures & yes – even the name! – we're building it together. It might feel unfamiliar to you. It's called democracy. 🔗 — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 24, 2025 Asked why it was him alone doing broadcast media to launch the party, and also asked where Ms Sultana was, he said: 'We're working absolutely together on this. 'She happens to be, as far as I know at this moment, in Coventry. 'I was in touch with her just a few moments ago. So it's all fine. We're working very well together, all of us.' An inaugural conference will take place for members to 'decide the party's direction, the model of leadership and the policies that are needed to transform society', the X statement said. Mr Corbyn told reporters that the conference will 'hopefully' take place mid-autumn and that he wants the name of the new project to be 'inclusive' and 'bring people in'. Asked what the new name would be, he said: 'We're going to decide when we've had all the responses, and so far the response rate has been massive. Let's do this! — Adnan Hussain MP (@AdnanHussainMP) July 24, 2025 'They've been coming in at 500 a minute wanting to support and join the new party.' Mr Corbyn was forced to shield himself with a large black umbrella amid a downpour following a broadcast appearance to announce the new party outside Islington Town Hall. He was stopped at one point by a couple getting married at the venue who said it was 'great' to meet him and asked to take a picture with him, followed by a man who shouted: 'Yes Jezza' at the former Labour leader. Adnan Hussain, the independent MP for Blackburn who was elected last summer, appeared to give his backing to the project, posting an image of Mr Corbyn's and Ms Sultana's statements on X, adding 'let's do this'. A Labour source said: 'The electorate has twice given its verdict on a Jeremy Corbyn-led party.' Mr Corbyn led the Labour Party from 2015 to 2020 before being suspended following a row over a report into antisemitism in the party. He was expelled in 2024 and successfully contested the summer election as an Independent candidate. Ms Sultana had the Labour whip withdrawn after rebelling against the Government to vote to scrap the two-child benefit cap shortly after the general election. She resigned her Labour membership in 2025.


North Wales Chronicle
18 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Corbyn promises ‘new kind of party' as he launches as-yet unnamed venture
The former Labour leader has called for a 'mass redistribution of wealth and power' as he encouraged people to sign up on Thursday. In a statement posted on X, the pair said that it is time for a party 'that is rooted in our communities, trade unions and social movements' and 'belongs to you'. At the moment there is no agreement on the party's name, but Mr Corbyn denied that the launch had been 'messy'. The movement has the website with a welcome message saying 'this is your party' – but Ms Sultana said: 'It's not called Your Party.' It comes after Ms Sultana said she was launching the party with Mr Corbyn earlier this month, but the former Labour leader appeared unready to formally announce the move until now. It's time for a new kind of political party – one that belongs to you. Sign up at — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 24, 2025 Speaking to reporters, it was put to Mr Corbyn that the party 'looked a bit messy', to which the former Labour leader said: 'It's not messy at all. It's a totally coherent approach. 'It's democratic, it's grassroots and it's open.' He also said that he and Coventry South MP Ms Sultana are 'working very well together'. Unlike Reform, we're doing things differently with democracy & inclusivity at the core. From the launch to the party, conference, structures & yes – even the name! – we're building it together. It might feel unfamiliar to you. It's called democracy. 🔗 — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 24, 2025 Asked why it was him alone doing broadcast media to launch the party, and also asked where Ms Sultana was, he said: 'We're working absolutely together on this. 'She happens to be, as far as I know at this moment, in Coventry. 'I was in touch with her just a few moments ago. So it's all fine. We're working very well together, all of us.' An inaugural conference will take place for members to 'decide the party's direction, the model of leadership and the policies that are needed to transform society', the X statement said. Mr Corbyn told reporters that the conference will 'hopefully' take place mid-autumn and that he wants the name of the new project to be 'inclusive' and 'bring people in'. Asked what the new name would be, he said: 'We're going to decide when we've had all the responses, and so far the response rate has been massive. Let's do this! — Adnan Hussain MP (@AdnanHussainMP) July 24, 2025 'They've been coming in at 500 a minute wanting to support and join the new party.' Mr Corbyn was forced to shield himself with a large black umbrella amid a downpour following a broadcast appearance to announce the new party outside Islington Town Hall. He was stopped at one point by a couple getting married at the venue who said it was 'great' to meet him and asked to take a picture with him, followed by a man who shouted: 'Yes Jezza' at the former Labour leader. Adnan Hussain, the independent MP for Blackburn who was elected last summer, appeared to give his backing to the project, posting an image of Mr Corbyn's and Ms Sultana's statements on X, adding 'let's do this'. A Labour source said: 'The electorate has twice given its verdict on a Jeremy Corbyn-led party.' Mr Corbyn led the Labour Party from 2015 to 2020 before being suspended following a row over a report into antisemitism in the party. He was expelled in 2024 and successfully contested the summer election as an Independent candidate. Ms Sultana had the Labour whip withdrawn after rebelling against the Government to vote to scrap the two-child benefit cap shortly after the general election. She resigned her Labour membership in 2025.