Last spring, far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, met with Lincolnshire pastor Rikki Doolan inside HMP Woodhill, where Robinson was serving seven months for contempt of court linked to defamatory statements about a Syrian refugee. According to Doolan, Robinson sought forgiveness during their conversation and was introduced to Christianity through discussions with a prison chaplain. Doolan described this moment as the beginning of Robinson’s journey toward faith, though Robinson did not respond to questions about his conversion.
Doolan sees Robinson’s embrace of Christianity as part of a broader revival among segments of Britain’s political right, who view Christian identity as under threat due to migration and cultural change. Robinson has incorporated religious elements into his large rallies, which have drawn thousands, framing these gatherings as vehicles for spiritual renewal. Critics, however, argue Robinson’s approach is a strategic effort to rebrand his anti-immigrant agenda by linking it to Britain’s Christian heritage, while also aligning with religious factions of the broader conservative movement.
This intertwining of Christianity and right-wing politics is not unique to Robinson. Figures such as theologian James Orr, formerly of the Reform think tank, have acted as connectors between U.S. Christian nationalism and British politics. Likewise, former Conservative MP Danny Kruger has endorsed a “recovery of a Christian politics” and subsequently joined Reform. These developments highlight the increasing role of religion in contemporary British political discourse.
Doolan, a former musician turned pastor, has become a prominent figure within this milieu. He became a committed Christian after attending a gospel church in Middlesbrough in 2011 and now ministers at the Spirit Embassy, led by Uebert Angel, a British-Zimbabwean pastor. Doolan is married to Angel’s niece and has embraced a political stance hardened by the 2017 terrorist attacks in the UK. He rejects labels such as “far right” or “Christian nationalist,” dismissing them as attempts to delegitimize his views.
Since 2022, Doolan has traveled England to lead baptisms and establish small congregations in towns including Lincoln, Edinburgh, Swansea, and Southampton. These congregations, typically held in rented community centres, reflect a grassroots effort to cultivate a form of Christianity intertwined with nationalist politics. Doolan asserts that political engagement is vital for Christians to ensure their faith’s survival within the country.
The movement has connections to other activism, such as the Patriot Platform led by Daniel Thomas, who is on remand facing charges related to attacks on migrant boats at sea, and Kevin Carroll, co-founder of the English Defence League and a cousin of Robinson. Some participants have raised significant funds through U.S.-based Christian crowdfunding platforms, often citing persecution by British authorities.
Recent surveys suggest a complex picture of religious identity among Britain’s nationalist right. A study by the Theos think tank found that around six million adults associate Christianity strongly with Britishness and view it as threatened, often perceiving Islam as incompatible with British values. However, regular church attendance within this group is low, indicating that, for many, Christianity serves more as a cultural marker than a deeply held religious practice.
The response from mainstream Christian institutions has been mixed. While some churches emphasize openness to all, others express concern about the co-option of Christian symbols by political activists. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, cautioned against the misuse of religious identity to intimidate and divide, and other church leaders have criticized displays at rallies for misrepresenting the Christian faith.
For Doolan and his followers, these developments represent an opportunity for evangelism amid what they describe as a cultural and spiritual crisis. As Doolan framed it during a recent conversation near Lincoln Cathedral, Britain’s Christian heritage and identity remain central to the national story, a narrative he believes must be reclaimed in the face of modern challenges.