Australian actress Holly Valance urged rally-goers in the United Kingdom to embrace patriotism and reject claims that nationalism is racist [1, 2].
The appearance by the former Neighbours star highlights the growing intersection of celebrity influence and nationalist sentiment within British political demonstrations. By framing patriotism as a virtue rather than a prejudice, Valance sought to counter specific ideological narratives surrounding national identity.
Speaking over the weekend at the "Unite the Kingdom" rally, Valance said far-left rhetoric is "disgusting, treacherous and treasonous" [1, 2]. She encouraged the crowd to ignore social pressures that might discourage the public display of national symbols.
"Don’t be embarrassed and don’t be too scared to stand up for your country," Valance said [1].
Valance focused her remarks on the importance of cultural respect and the visibility of the national flag. She said to "respect the culture, respect the flag, don’t be embarrassed to fly the flag, be patriotic" [1].
During her address, she specifically targeted the accusation that love for one's country is linked to racial prejudice. "Don’t let anybody tell you you’re a racist for doing," Valance said [1].
The rally served as a platform for attendees to express opposition to far-left dialects and political frameworks. Valance used her platform to advocate for a proud, unapologetic version of British nationalism, one that she argued is distinct from hate speech or discrimination [1, 2].
“"Don’t be embarrassed and don’t be too scared to stand up for your country."”
The involvement of international figures like Valance in UK-based nationalist rallies suggests a cross-border alignment of right-leaning cultural influencers. By explicitly decoupling nationalism from racism, these speakers aim to broaden the appeal of patriotic movements and neutralize common criticisms used by political opponents to marginalize such gatherings.
