A letter to Liverpool about the upcoming UKIP march

Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, has published an open letter to the people of the city ahead of a UKIP march scheduled to take place later this month.

He reaffirms Liverpool’s commitment to being “a city of hope, not hate”, and highlights the Council’s commitment to tackling racism through the its Anti-Racism Strategy, which was approved last at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 17 March.

He urges people to back the city’s ‘This is Liverpool’ anti-racism campaign to send a clear, collective message that Liverpool stands together against racism.

He adds: “We respect the principle of free speech, but we will never accept attempts to intimidate or divide our communities. Liverpool has always stood against racism, extremism and hate in all their forms, and we will continue to do so.”

The full text of the letter is below.

I am writing to express Liverpool City Council’s position regarding the UKIP march scheduled to take place in our city on Saturday, 21 March 2026. 

On Tuesday, 17 March, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet approved our city-wide Anti-Racism Strategy, as part of our ongoing collaboration with key organisations across the city, including health, education, police and community organisations. This represents a significant moment for our city. 

Liverpool is built on diversity, resilience and solidarity. For generations, people from all over the world have made this city their home, shaping its culture, its economy and its identity. That rich mix is something I am deeply proud of. It is what makes Liverpool the welcoming, outward-looking place we know it to be. 

But we also know that racism—whether overt or subtle, individual or institutional—continues to harm people, divide communities and limit opportunities. This strategy represents a shared commitment to building a Liverpool where every resident belongs, where institutions are actively anti-racist and accountable and where our racial and ethnic diversity is recognised as a source of collective strength. 

As a Council, we have already committed to becoming an actively anti-racist organisation. Last November, we approved our own organisational anti-racism action plan, and we are working hard to deliver meaningful change that our staff and residents will see and feel. 

We recognise that we have much work to do to rebuild trust and confidence with our communities. We’re genuinely committed to making meaningful progress and moving forward together. 

It is therefore extremely troubling that, in the very week we endorse this strategy, we have learned of UKIP’s plans to march in our city. We respect the principle of free speech, but we will never accept attempts to intimidate or divide our communities. Liverpool has always stood against racism, extremism and hate in all their forms, and we will continue to do so. 

The Council and the police do not possess the legal powers to ban this march, no matter how much we might wish otherwise. Such a decision can only be made by the Home Office. The responsibility for managing and policing these events is led by Merseyside Police, who have assured us they are taking measures to ensure public safety, and we are working closely with them. 

At this moment, unity matters. We are asking everyone to support our ‘This is Liverpool’ anti-racism campaign to send a clear, collective message that Liverpool stands together against racism. This city belongs to all of us. Together, we can build a fairer, safer and more inclusive city for everyone. 

This is Liverpool. A city of hope, not hate. 

More information about the ‘This is Liverpool’ campaign can be found at https://liverpoolexpress.co.uk/thisisliverpool/.