The Rise of Christian Nationalism in the UK: A Call to Action

Deborah Frances-White, a prominent feminist and host of the Guilty Feminist podcast, has initiated a grassroots movement titled "The Road to Gilead" in response to the growing influence of Christian nationalism in the UK. This movement draws parallels to the dystopian society depicted in Margaret Atwood's *The Handmaid’s Tale*, highlighting concerns over the erosion of rights and freedoms, particularly regarding women's rights and LGBTQ+ issues.

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course

Since 2013, anti-abortion groups and ultra-conservative Christian organizations have expanded their presence in the UK. Amnesty International has identified 65 such groups, many of which operate under the guise of NGOs or think tanks. These organizations have collectively spent £106 million between 2019 and 2023, aiming to undermine healthcare access and restrict individual freedoms. Frances-White argues that these movements are gaining traction, echoing the political climate in the United States following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course

Nigel Farage, a significant figure in UK politics, has been linked to the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal advocacy group involved in the anti-abortion movement. Farage's recent appointment of James Orr, a Cambridge University professor opposed to abortion, has raised alarms among critics who view this as an attempt to import divisive American ideologies into British politics. Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, stated that this appointment confirms the alignment of Farage's Reform UK party with the values of Donald Trump's MAGA movement.

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course

Critics of Frances-White's movement express concern over the potential for alarmism. While Frances-White acknowledges that the US is not yet a totalitarian state, she warns of increasing authoritarian tendencies, including threats to same-sex marriage and the treatment of immigrants. Some argue that framing the situation as a direct path to a dystopian future may overlook the complexities of the current political landscape.

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course

Frances-White emphasizes the urgency of mobilizing against these rising forces, stating, "We need to galvanize and get to work. There’s no time for pettiness or stalling." She calls for coalitions among progressive groups to counteract the influence of Christian nationalism and to protect democratic values.

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course

Frances-White plans to host Open Space events starting January 17, 2026, aimed at fostering connections among progressive individuals and organizations. These gatherings will focus on sharing ideas and building grassroots initiatives to combat the encroachment of Christian nationalist values in UK governance.

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course

• “We are now seeing a political climate that feels like a step towards that vision.” — Deborah Frances-White

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course

• “Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “This appointment confirms what we've always known: Reform UK is just a British franchise of Donald Trump’s Maga movement.” — Daisy Cooper, Lib Dem deputy leader

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course

• “We need to turn this around and get on the road heading far away from Gilead.” — Deborah Frances-White

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course

In summary, Frances-White's movement seeks to address the rising tide of Christian nationalism in the UK, urging collective action to safeguard rights and freedoms against a backdrop of increasing political conservatism.

The American Christian right has infiltrated the UK. We are on the road to Gilead, but it's not too late to change course