Anti-migrant activists like Danny Tommo are changing tactics

In the early hours of last Saturday morning, dozens of men clad in black gathered in the quiet Kent village of Preston-next-Wingham. Arriving under cover of night, their vehicles were left scattered across local spots such as the village hall car park and the recreation ground. By sunrise, these men had assembled into a small convoy of lorries, departing with a military-like precision en route to Dover, where they staged a striking and intimidating demonstration near the port.

Once at Dover, the group’s disciplined ranks, many wearing paramilitary-style balaclavas, took control of key roads surrounding the port. These activists arrived in at least three separate waves, including those who had spent the night in Preston-next-Wingham. Their presence was marked by ominous stares directed at passing motorists and police officers as they firmly held their positions. This marked a departure from the chaotic clashes linked to figures like Tommy Robinson and the English Defence League (EDL) in previous years. As one local resident, Robin Burkhardt, told the BBC, “I seriously thought we’d been invaded by Russians.” Danny Thomas, the main organiser known as Danny Tommo, posted on Instagram after the event that “This is our warning.”

This new mode of protest belongs to a group named Patriot Platform and introduced a distinct style to Britain’s far-right scene. Their visual presence was notable, with men chanting slogans like “Christ is King” alongside “Stop the Boats.” The following day, Thomas leveraged social media to mobilise a follow-up protest, rallying several hundred supporters in his hometown of Portsmouth. There, the group attempted to obstruct coaches tasked with transporting migrants who had recently been brought ashore after crossing illegally from Normandy, France. In response, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood met with police leadership on Thursday, urging stricter enforcement against activists wearing face coverings. Speaking about the disruptions, she said, “These scenes have caused disruption for people and, given that people are dressed in black wearing balaclavas, there is a fear factor and obvious malign intent being communicated to our residents.”

Patriot Platform appears to have adapted certain disruptive tactics reminiscent of environmental protest groups such as Just Stop Oil while also drawing inspiration and backing from the rising wave of Christian nationalism seen in the United States. The group is openly working to create a working-class voting bloc aimed at pressuring right-wing political parties to adopt their agenda. Founded recently—their website was registered just days after a large anti-immigration march in London—Patriot Platform’s visibility has quickly grown. Its leader, Thomas, has called for smarter, more strategic activism that avoids the violent confrontations which led to arrests during previous demonstrations linked to Robinson. He emphasised the need for a “different MO,” seeking “the strong, the able, the ones that are willing to do things a bit different.”

Far-right expert William Allchorn from Anglia Ruskin University highlights the scale and coordination that set Patriot Platform apart from earlier movements. Unlike disorganised street battles, this group orchestrated waves of protesters who arrived in lorries, engaged minimally with media or the public, and left before law enforcement could fully respond. Numbers at Dover were estimated between 200 and 500 individuals, predominantly male. Meanwhile, anti-racism group Hope Not Hate condemned the activities, describing the platform as “a far-right network of men happy to intimidate and inconvenience an entire town for what was effectively a publicity stunt.” Their CEO, Nick Lowles, underscored Thomas’s aim to create “a ‘patriotic army that is able to take control of the United Kingdom.’”

Patriot Platform operates within an already crowded far-right landscape, contending alongside other groups such as Britain First, Turning Point UK, and Patriotic Alternative. Thomas has received public support from Tommy Robinson, although he has experienced conflicts with other activists, including a public falling-out with Ryan Bridge, another far-right figure. Thomas himself has a criminal history—having served a two-year jail sentence for an attempted kidnapping—and is now focused on transforming his movement into a political force by cultivating a voting bloc without currently endorsing any specific party. He insists the group’s vote will eventually be directed clearly once a suitable political vehicle emerges. This approach reflects dissatisfaction with established right-wing leaders, as Thomas lamented how working-class voters are often alienated from politics.

Financial backing for Patriot Platform has also taken a notably Christian dimension. Thomas promotes the group through a US-based Christian crowdfunding platform, seeking £5,000 monthly to fund transport, boats, and media production. His messaging integrates Christian elements openly, frequenting church gatherings and invoking faith in his calls to action. Local church officials have emphasized their commitment to inclusion despite the political activities surrounding Thomas, who has publicly shared his personal faith journey, stating, “I have repented my sins and, under Jesus Christ, I am a new man.” Analysts view this blending of nationalism with Christianity as a tactic designed to depict the UK as a Christian nation in opposition to Muslim immigrants.

Looking ahead, the future trajectory of Patriot Platform remains uncertain. While their initial surge demonstrated new forms of organised far-right protest, experts like Allchorn note that such groups often lack a clear, long-term strategy, developing more concrete aims only when forced to do so. Meanwhile, competing right-wing parties remain cautious. Some, like Restore Britain—founded recently by a suspended Reform UK member—express solidarity with the protestors, but it is unclear how much influence Thomas’s network will command. Their significant social media reach, including hundreds of thousands of followers, offers potential power but not guaranteed political success. For now, the Patriot Platform continues to expand its presence both on the streets and online, navigating the complex landscape of Britain’s far-right activism

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