Paul Golding and Britain First called a protest in Manchester on 21 February 2026 only to be humilated with a low turn out and concerted and organised response from the local community.

This was a milestone for anti-fascist organising in Manchester; two distinct demonstrations united by the desire to take action against fascists in the city, split by organisational culture and tactics.

Anti-fascist organising has developed significantly over the past two years in response to the sustained attacks by the far-right on the Palestine Solidarity Movement and on hotels housing those seeking asylum. Britain First and Patriotic Alternative have the most sustained organisation across Greater Manchester, but they are often supported on the ground by the right of Reform and a mob of cackling auditors.

The grifters, better known as auditors, have been a plague on the city, parasitically leeching off the city’s resistance to make a quick buck on YouTube. Whilst a complete waste of oxygen, they have played an important role in sustaining the presence of the far-right in Greater Manchester from Fallowfield to Altrincham, and like any bacteria, they reproduce and have become black mirror-esque influencers, with recognition across the City.

The action was not a spontaneous expression of working-class anger but a credit to the commitment of local activists: trying to learn from the past, confronting the new challenges posed by the far-right, whilst working alongside and simultaneously presenting a credible alternative to Stand Up To Racism’s street tactics.

STUR called a mobilisation in Piccadilly Gardens, where local trade unionists and councillors gathered to give speeches condemning Britain First and rallying people for the fight ahead. Corbyn spoke alongside Mothin Ali, Deputy leader of the Greens, which was an excellent show of unity in the context of the Gorton and Denton by-election and a welcome sign of cooperation in a city currently so polarised.

Corbyn definitely attracted people to the demonstration, and numbers were strong, which was important, as when the fascists eventually set off, they were met by a good number, which was needed, as scuffles broke out across the gardens.

The demo held their own, then proceeded to march from Piccadilly to St Peter’s Square, playing a role in the overall anti-fascist presence in the city, but far from the tactics of the group Resist Britain First; a coalition of revolutionary anti-racist, anti-fascist, and feminist organisations working alongside rank and file trade unionists and tenants union organisers.

The coalition is young; however, the experience and these comrades bring to the movement should not be underestimated. This is what played out in Manchester.

Resist Britain First is driven by a shared understanding that resistance must be class conscious, with the voices of local marginalised communities at the fore. Anti-fascist organising is community defence, and communities in Manchester have a long history of doing this – Resist Britain First recognised this.

Instead of organised speeches the group focused on a disciplined approach to blocing the fascists’ route through the city cutting off an important junction forcing the Britain First march to be diverted at multiple intersections splitting the march and forcing numbers to dwindle to the extent Paul Golding’s rallying speech was delivered to about 100 soaking wet fascists more interested in sparring with local anti-fascists as they gathered shouting down and eventually dwarfing Golding’s direhard stuck in the Castlefield bowl. You can see the footage of their pitiful rally on X.

Whilst Manchester claimed the victory against the Britain First national mobilization, it must be noted that it was not Manchester alone. Anti-fascists from across the North West joined the number, and Resist Britain First learnt lessons from stalwarts at Merseyside Anti-fascist Network, with comrades travelling from Bolton, Sheffield, Chorley, and further afield to bolster the number.

Anti-fascist work takes serious organisation, from mobilisation to aftercare contingency plans. The organised Left must continue to learn from actions like this. We need to accept that some sections of the resistance will do as they always have, but we face an emboldened far-right, and as opposed to trying to change the tactics of Stand Up to Racism, we should just acknowledge their strategy, but build what we need to see.

Tactics aren’t principles, but we need transparency; otherwise, we will never have an honest account of our successes and limitations. We need to direct our anger and energy at fascism and the looming threat in front of us.

After his humiliation, Paul Golding has called for another demo in Manchester. We know next time he will get an even more hostile welcome!

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