The UK government has banned a prominent Dutch far-right activist and online influencer from entering the country, citing that her presence is not 'conducive to the public good'.
ETA Revoked for 'Public Good'
Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a figure known for promoting anti-immigration rhetoric and conspiracy theories such as the 'great replacement', announced the ban this week. She posted an image online showing a notification from British authorities that her UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) had been cancelled on Tuesday. The official communication explicitly stated her presence in the UK was deemed contrary to public interest.
Vlaardingerbroek has a history of inflammatory commentary directed at UK figures. She recently described Prime Minister Keir Starmer as an 'evil, despicable man', a remark highlighted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán when he reposted her announcement. Orbán, whose government has hosted far-right gatherings, responded by telling Vlaardingerbroek, 'You're always welcome in Hungary!'.
Links to UK Far-Right Circles and 'Remigration' Rhetoric
The activist is no stranger to the UK's political fringe. Last year, she was a speaker at Britain's largest ever far-right protest, an event organised by the activist Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon). During her address, she wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan 'Generation Remigration'—a term widely regarded as a euphemism for forced mass deportations.
In her speech, she claimed, 'They are demanding the sacrifice of our children on the altar of mass migration. Let's not beat about the bush – this is the rape, replacement, and murder of our people… Remigration is possible, and it's up to us to make it happen.' Her appearance and rhetoric align her with extremist elements that the UK Home Office has increasingly sought to monitor and restrict.
Political Backlash and Precedent
The decision has already sparked criticism from Vlaardingerbroek's political allies. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has adopted more strident right-wing views since leaving office, condemned the move on social media platform X, writing, 'People who tell the truth about what's happening in Britain banned from the country.'
Similarly, anti-immigration MP Rupert Lowe, previously of Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, said he would question the ban and call for it to be reversed. The action may also provoke a reaction from figures in the United States, where some associates of Donald Trump have previously accused Britain of suppressing free speech.
This is not an isolated incident. The UK has a precedent of barring individuals deemed extremist. Earlier this month, an Islamist preacher was banned for defending Hamas after the 7 October attacks on Israel. In 2019, the prominent anti-Islamic extremist Martin Sellner was permanently barred from the UK; his organisation was investigated in Austria over links to the Christchurch shooting suspect.
The Home Office's latest action against Eva Vlaardingerbroek underscores the UK government's ongoing efforts to control entry for individuals associated with hate speech and extremist ideologies, balancing border security with contentious debates over free expression and political discourse.
