The Church of England has released a 43-second video titled 'Christmas Isn’t Cancelled' in response to a Christmas carols event organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The video features over 20 individuals, including the Archbishop of York and schoolchildren, speaking about the 'joy, love and hope' of Christmas. The Church stated it is 'a simple reminder that Christmas belongs to all of us, and everyone is welcome to celebrate'.
Senior church figures have spoken out against Christian nationalism and the appropriation of Christian symbols to bolster anti-migrant views. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams warned of the potential 'weaponisation' of such events, emphasising that the true Christian message is one of compassion and welcome to all. Bishop of Kirkstall Arun Arora said Christianity is being used as 'a flag of convenience by the far right', adding that any attempt to co-opt Christianity for political agendas should be resisted.
Bishop of Edmonton Anderson Jeremiah wrote to parishes in London encouraging diverse congregations, rejecting the 'false, toxic premise that British identity equals Christian identity equals white European identity'. He noted that migrants have boosted church congregations, with significant numbers of Anglican churchgoers in London being of African-Caribbean, Nigerian, Ghanaian, and South Asian heritage.
Four bishops in the diocese of Southwark issued a statement condemning the co-opting of Christian faith to exclude others, calling on Christians to build a more united Kingdom based on love, humility, and compassion. Bishop of Manchester David Walker wrote that appropriating Christmas for a 'dim culture war' is especially offensive.
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has publicly described Saturday's carols event in Westminster as 'non-political', but in emails to supporters he framed it as a rally against 'mass migration and cultural erosion'. Theologian Dr Krish Kandiah stated that Robinson's values are not those of the Bible, emphasising that the Christmas story is about hospitality, not fear or exclusion.
