London, 13th September 2025 — A day of reckoning, reflection, and remembrance

On Saturday, London once again became the stage for Tommy Robinson’s call to action. Robinson has long stood firm in defending free speech, national pride, and the cultural values that many feel are increasingly under threat. For those who see themselves simply as right, not extreme, his presence speaks to the enduring need for voices that resist the erasure of tradition and identity. Against the background of an emboldened far left — whose tactics so often aim to silence rather than debate — Robinson’s words and actions continue to strike a chord.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the world has been shaken by the appalling murder of Charlie Kirk. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, a passionate advocate for conservative values and American renewal, was gunned down on 10th September while speaking at Utah Valley University. His killing was not just the loss of a young husband and father, but a brutal attack on free speech itself. Political violence has no place in any democracy, and yet here it has struck at the very heart of public life.

Why this matters in England

Kirk’s assassination is a warning to us all: that ideas, values, and traditions must be defended openly and peacefully, not with fear or force. In London, Robinson’s stand reminds us that patriotism is not a dirty word — it is the lifeblood of a nation. To be proud of England, its people, and its heritage, is not to exclude others, but to protect what is ours for future generations.

Antique dealing as patriotic work

This brings me to a point close to my heart. Antique dealing is, by its very nature, one of the most patriotic of professions. Why? Because every artefact, every piece of furniture, every vessel or artwork, is a physical link to our history. To trade in antiques is to celebrate England’s great cultural inheritance, to hold in our hands the work of past generations, and to ensure it lives on.

• A window on history: Antiques embody stories of our monarchy, our parliaments, our inventors, our craftsmen. They are not relics — they are living lessons.
• Cultural pride: To value an English cabinet, a Georgian chair, or a Regency mirror is to value the ingenuity and skill that defined our nation’s place in the world.
• Resistance to forgetfulness: In an age of throwaway culture, antiques stand for permanence and continuity. They say: we remember where we came from.

Conclusion: honouring legacy, defending freedom

As we mourn the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk and reflect on the voices rising in London, let us recognise that our work as dealers, collectors, and patriots is part of the same struggle. To honour the past, to safeguard culture, to protect free speech, and to resist those who would tear down what is valuable — these are the duties of every generation.

In antiques we do not just trade objects. We carry the flame of English history forward. And in times like these, that is as patriotic an act as any.