Full Breakdown
Restore Britain Campaigners Confronted by Protesters in Holborn and St Pancras
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
During a door-to-door canvassing effort in Holborn and St Pancras, volunteers for Restore Britain – the party founded by Rupert Lowe – were intercepted by demonstrators from the Stand Up To Racism group. Video posted on social media shows protesters shouting “refugees are welcome here” and blocking canvassers as they attempted to drop leaflets in postboxes. Metropolitan Police officers intervened, escorted the Restore Britain team away, and later arrested two men on suspicion of assault – one 18-year-old canvasser and one 27-year-old protester.
Background and Upcoming By-election
The confrontation occurred in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency after former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer resigned his seat. The by-election is scheduled for October 8. Fifteen candidates are standing, including representatives from the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, the Green Party (with Restore Britain candidate Zack Polanski), the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, UKIP, and others.
Official Police Response
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson explained that officers were present in Kentish Town on Saturday, 26 September to prevent a breach of the peace between the two groups. The Met emphasized its impartial role, balancing the right to protest with the right to political campaigning. While on scene, officers arrested the two individuals on suspicion of assault; the 18-year-old canvasser was released without further action, and the 27-year-old protester remains in custody. The force said it will continue to monitor similar situations and adjust its response as needed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They are as follows: Barmy Brunch, Official Monster Raving Loony Party Ben Walker, UKIP - NO to Illegal Immigration Briony Anne Lonbay Kapoor, Rejoin EU Clare Fischer, Climate Party Ewan Cameron, The Conservative Party Candidate George Galloway, Workers Party Helen Spiby-Vann, Christian Peoples Alliance Jonathan Silberman, Communist League Ketankumar Pipaliya, UK VOICE safer and stronger UK Patrick Thomas Stillman, Liberal Democrats Peter Newman, Reform UK Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour Party Tom Darwood, Indepedent Tyler Kurtis Johnson, Restore Britain Zack Polanski, The Green Party A Met spokesman said: "Officers were in Kentish Town on Saturday, 26 September in response to a small protest by a group, which was demonstrating against people who were canvassing in the area on behalf of a political party.” — Restore Britain Zack Polanski, The Green Party A Met spokesman
What’s Next
With the by-election set for October 8, authorities and campaign teams are expected to increase security measures ahead of polling day. The Metropolitan Police has indicated ongoing monitoring of public order risks in the constituency.