LONDON, UK – The streets of the capital were transformed into a sea of Union Jacks and roaring chants this week as thousands gathered for the “Unite the Kingdom” rally. But amidst the clamor and the patriotic fervor, one voice cut through the noise with the precision of a sniper’s bullet. Ant Middleton, the former Special Forces soldier and television personality best known for SAS: Who Dares Wins, took the stage not just to speak, but to declare war on the political establishment.

The far-right candidate for London mayor - based in Dubai | Searchlight

In a speech that was equal parts nostalgic rallying cry and aggressive ultimatum, Middleton announced his intention to run for Mayor of London as an Independent candidate in May 2028. However, it wasn’t the announcement itself that has set social media ablaze—it was the uncompromising, “raw and unfiltered” rhetoric he used to define his vision for the capital.

“The Crown Jewel of England”

Stepping onto the podium, Middleton appeared every bit the commander addressing his troops. The energy in the air was electric, a palpable mix of frustration and hope that Middleton tapped into immediately.

“I walk through London on multiple occasions,” he began, his voice gravelly and serious. “I see British culture, but I don’t feel it. I haven’t felt it for years.”

For Middleton, the rally was a restoration of something lost. Looking out at the sea of faces near Big Ben, he declared that “British pride came roaring back to life.” He positioned himself not as a politician—a label he clearly disdains—but as a protector, a “backbone” for a city he believes has lost its way.

The “Umbrella” of British Culture

The core of Middleton’s address was a fierce defense of what he termed “British culture.” In a segment that is sure to spark intense debate across the political spectrum, he directly challenged the modern definition of multiculturalism.

“We are not a multicultural country,” Middleton asserted, pausing for effect as the crowd cheered. “We are a British cultured country with a multicultural society.”

He used the metaphor of an “umbrella” to describe this dynamic. In his view, British culture—which he explicitly linked to “Christian values, principles, and morals”—must be the overarching structure under which all other communities exist. “The umbrella culture is British culture,” he insisted.

His message to immigrants and newcomers was stark and transactional: “By all means come in, fit in, integrate, and you will be welcomed. You will also be sheltered by our umbrella.”

The Ultimatum: “Force You Out”

However, the olive branch of “shelter” came with a heavy iron fist. In the most viral and controversial moment of the speech, Middleton laid down a strict red line for those who refuse to assimilate or who break the law.

“If you are here illegally, you will be forced out,” he shouted, his finger pointing authoritatively. “If you are hostile against our way of life, against our British culture, we will force you out.”

This rhetoric marks a significant escalation from typical political discourse. While mainstream politicians often dance around the mechanics of deportation and integration with carefully focus-grouped language, Middleton’s approach was blunt, military, and confrontational. He promised to start this “cleansing” of hostile elements in “the very core, the crown jewel of England: London.”

De-Politicizing the Police

Turning his sights to law and order, Middleton launched a blistering attack on the current state of policing in the capital. Echoing concerns often heard in conservative circles about “two-tier policing,” he alleged that the Metropolitan Police had been “compromised.”

“Our police force… is being used as a political tool,” he claimed. “I will stop that straight away.”

His pitch to the voters was simple: he is a man of action, not words. Drawing on his military background, he assured the crowd, “When it comes to safety and security, I know my stuff. Trust me.” He pledged to make London “one of the safest cities in the world within my first term,” a bold promise given the complex challenges of knife crime and gang violence currently plaguing the metropolis.

A Cultural Nostalgia

Beyond the hardline security talk, Middleton appealed to a sense of lost innocence and tradition. He reminisced about school assemblies, singing hymns like Give Me Joy in My Heart (often known as “Sing Hosanna”), and the unifying power of shared rituals.

“I didn’t know what I was singing about, but I knew it brought us together,” he reflected. “It was establishing that British identity in us.”

He decried the perceived erasure of these traditions, specifically mentioning Christmas. “We can’t even celebrate Christmas nowadays without offending someone,” he said, tapping into a common grievance among his audience. “Christmas is our Christian values, morals, and identity. Celebrate it with pride.”

The Independent Factor

Perhaps the most significant strategic takeway from the speech was Middleton’s rejection of party politics. By announcing an Independent run for 2028, he is positioning himself as an insurgent outsider, similar to the strategies that have disrupted politics in the US and Europe.

“The Mayor of London position was never meant to be a political position,” he argued. “I will be running for you, not for any political party.”

The Verdict

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As the speech concluded, the atmosphere in London was one of undeniable intensity. Middleton told the crowd they had “reinstalled his faith” and proven that the “backbone” of Britain was still intact.

“London, you’re amazing. British Patriots, I f***ing love you,” he signed off, leaving the stage to rapturous applause.

Ant Middleton’s speech was not just a campaign launch; it was a grenade thrown into the center of the established political order. His unapologetic nationalism, combined with his celebrity status and military credibility, makes him a unique—and to many, unpredictable—force.

Critics will undoubtedly label his “force you out” rhetoric as divisive and dangerous, arguing that his definition of “British culture” excludes millions of Londoners. Supporters, however, see him as the only man brave enough to say what they have been thinking.

One thing is certain: The race for Mayor of London 2028 has already begun, and Ant Middleton has ensured it will be a battle for the very soul of the city. The establishment has been warned.