Political, Poole | Posted on February 16th, 2026 | return to news

Protesters and supporters face off outside Poole RNLI HQ

Dozens of members of the online groups Bournemouth Patriots and Poole Patriots spent Valentine’s Day, Saturday 14 February protesting outside the offices of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

The groups, which regularly protest outside Bournemouth hotels housing migrants and asylum seekers, organised the event to call on the RNLI to “stop the taxi service”. The demonstrators claim that the charity acts as a ‘taxi’ for people attempting to enter the UK illegally by crossing the Channel in small boats.

The RNLI has repeatedly defended itself against the accusation, maintaining that its volunteers have a legal and moral duty to save lives at sea, regardless of where those individuals come from.

Ahead of the protest, one of the organisers said: “We respect the RNLI and we respect the volunteers. But this [taxi service] cannot continue.”

A large counter-protest was organised by campaign group Stand Up To Racism Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, which attracted supporters of the RNLI.

One of the counter-protestors was Jim, a volunteer with the RNLI. He said: “[The RNLI] don’t discriminate. If someone’s in danger, the law of the sea says you should go to their aid. To blame the RNLI for this, it’s just crazy. It doesn’t make any sense at all.

“Those people don’t understand what the RNLI is all about, and that’s why I think it’s sad. I actually feel sorry for them. I can’t understand the hatred that comes out of them to the RNLI.
“It might come a time when they might need to be rescued by the RNLI, and they’ll say ‘sorry, you’re a taxi service, I won’t use you.’

“It’s a sad reflection. But they have a right to protest, and all we can do is stand there. We’ve been very peaceful.”

Among the counter-protestors were local politicians including BCP Cllr George Farquhar and the MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Vikki Slade.

Slade said: “I recognise the concerns people have about irregular migration to the UK, especially by small boat, but I have been appalled to see the RNLI targeted in this way.

“They were set up to save lives at sea, not to be selective on who that might be. Throughout their history, they have saved people in all circumstances from the weather, from disaster, and from their own naivety, and I stand with these brave men and women who put themselves in harm’s way.

“Those fleeing to Britain did not cause the crisis in the NHS, the housing crisis, or the breakdown of our communities, but they are an easy target. We need to process claims for asylum quickly, and get people working so that they can contribute to society and pay their way, and if their asylum claim fails we need to remove them quickly.

“I was pleased to see so many people of all ages and backgrounds turn up to the Stand Up To Racism event, and pleased to speak with them to show my support.”

Dorset View counted 17 police officers and police liaison officers policing the protest. A private security firm had also been hired.