Somerset Council Leader Cllr Bill Revans has reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to community safety, cohesion and respect following concerns raised about a protest march in Taunton.
His comments were made at yesterday’s Full Council (15 July 2026) in response to a question from Cllr Habib Farbahi about the march which took place on Saturday 27 June.
Cllr Revans said the scenes witnessed in Taunton in June were “deeply concerning”, adding that while most of those present conducted themselves peacefully and lawfully, he was appalled by behaviour from a group whose actions and language sought to divide communities, intimidate others and undermine the values that Somerset stands for.
He said:
Somerset is a county built on decency, respect and neighbourliness. People from many different backgrounds, faiths and cultures have and continue to help shape our communities and have made an enormous contribution to our public services, businesses, economy and civic and community life. They are part of Somerset and they belong here.
My message to every Somerset resident is simple: you are valued, you are welcome and you belong. Somerset is at its best when we stand together.
We will continue to champion a county where people can express their views peacefully, where differences are debated respectfully, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Cllr Revans said the Council believes strongly in the right to free speech and peaceful protest, but stressed that these freedoms carry responsibilities.
He added:
There can never be any place for intimidation, harassment, hatred or attempts to set one community against another. Fair, honest and respectful debate must always prevail over division and hostility.
Somerset Council remains committed to working closely with Avon and Somerset Police, community organisations, faith groups and local leaders to support community cohesion and ensure all residents feel safe, valued and welcome.
Cllr Revans said:
This should not be a party-political issue. Keeping our communities safe, standing against intimidation, and supporting community cohesion are responsibilities shared by all of us.
The Council supports a range of community cohesion work across Somerset, including:
- the Somerset Diverse Communities project,
- Together Events run by community groups,
- the newly formed Interfaith and Belief Network,
- work with schools to support children affected by racial discrimination, and
- training and support for council staff.
As a Council that has signed up to be an anti-racist organisation, Somerset Council is committed to taking action with partners, and on its own where needed, to challenge hatred, discrimination and attempts to divide communities.
Cllr Revans added:
Regardless of political colour, we all have a responsibility to call out intimidation, hatred and attempts to divide our communities whenever and wherever they occur.
We can disagree robustly on policy, challenge one another in debate and uphold the right to peaceful protest, but we should be united in rejecting behaviour that seeks to spread fear, hostility or division.
Common questions and answers about support for people seeking asylum in Somerset can be found on the Council’s Asylum Dispersal in Somerset page.
The full question and response
Question from Cllr Habib Farbahi:
What is Somerset Council’s response to the protest march that took place in Taunton on Saturday 27 June, and what assurances can be provided that all Somerset residents will continue to feel safe and supported, particularly in light of reports that a further demonstration is being planned later this month?
Response from Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Revans:
The scenes witnessed in Taunton in June were deeply concerning. While most of those present conducted themselves peacefully and lawfully, I am appalled by the behaviour of a group whose actions and language sought to divide our communities, intimidate others and undermine the values that Somerset stands for. Somerset is a county built on decency, respect and neighbourliness. People from many different backgrounds, faiths and cultures have and continue to help shape our communities and have made an enormous contribution to our public services, businesses, economy and civic and community life. They are part of Somerset and they belong here.
This Council believes in dignity, equality and respect for every individual. We also believe strongly in the right to free speech and peaceful protest. These freedoms are fundamental to a democratic society. However, free speech carries responsibilities, and there can never be any place for intimidation, harassment, hatred or attempts to set one community against another. Fair, honest and respectful debate must always prevail over division and hostility.
At a time when many families and communities are facing real pressures, our responsibility as civic and political leaders is to bring people together, foster understanding and strengthen the ties that bind our communities as we see demonstrated through the Together events that happen throughout Somerset every year.
Somerset Council remains committed to working closely with Avon and Somerset Police, community organisations, faith groups and local leaders to support community cohesion and ensure that all residents feel safe, valued and welcome through the Community Voices Partnership. Everyone should be able to live, work and participate in public life free from intimidation, discrimination or fear.
In light of the concerns that have been raised, and reports of further demonstrations being planned, I will be calling on the leaders of all political groups represented on Somerset Council to join me in writing to Avon and Somerset Police and to the Secretary of State. Together, we will seek assurances that sufficient resources are available to maintain public safety, protect communities and support effective policing where required. We will also work through the Community Voices partnership to reassure and understand the concerns of our diverse communities.
This should not be a party-political issue. Keeping our communities safe, standing against intimidation, and supporting community cohesion are responsibilities shared by all of us.
My message to every Somerset resident is simple: you are valued, you are welcome and you belong. Somerset is at its best when we stand together. We will continue to champion a county where people can express their views peacefully, where differences are debated respectfully, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Community Cohesion is not effective if it is just about good words and intention it has to be about the work for it to be meaningful. This is why the Council funds and works closely with the Somerset Diverse Communities project to understand the Counties ethnically diverse communities and deliver support and community work. This could be through the Together events that happen throughout Somerset every year run by community groups and supported Somerset Diverse Communities or the newly formed Interfaith and Belief Network providing community opportunities to understand different faith and beliefs. It could be the joint work we will be offering to schools around how to support children that have been on the receiving end of racial discrimination in schools. Lastly it could be the support, training and challenge we put in place for our staff so we understand and respond more effectively. As a council that has signed up to be an Anti-racist organisation we are committed to take action with our partners and on our own where needed.
Let me finish with this. Regardless of political colour, we all have a responsibility to call out intimidation, hatred and attempts to divide our communities whenever and wherever they occur. We can disagree robustly on policy, challenge one another in debate and uphold the right to peaceful protest, but we should be united in rejecting behaviour that seeks to spread fear, hostility or division.
