The petition, started by long‑time customer Jenny Hall, calls on the pub to commit publicly to refusing future bookings from groups linked to far‑right politics. Jenny said she was “shocked” to learn of the meeting, which friends stumbled across while visiting the pub one evening.
“The Brunswick was one of my favourite pubs in Swansea, and I’ve been attending their quiz ever since I moved here years ago as a student,” she said.
“So I was horrified to discover they had hosted this group. Everyone I know is appalled at the rise of racism and anti‑migrant sentiment in the UK, and it’s gutting to see a well‑loved local institution contributing to this climate of hostility and fear. I won’t be going back without a public commitment from the Brunswick’s management not to host groups like this again.”
(Image: The Brunswick Arms / Facebook)
Far‑right party launch
Advance UK was set up in June 2025 by Ben Habib, former deputy leader of Reform UK, who said he wanted to establish a party “to the right of Reform.” The group has been linked with convicted fascist Tommy Robinson and has promoted far‑right narratives online. It was involved in a demonstration in London on 13 September and has supported protests outside hotels housing refugees.
Events organised by Advance UK in Cardiff and Newcastle have already been cancelled after venues refused to host them.
(Image: Advance UK / X)
(Image: Advance UK / X)
Pub ownership
A spokesperson for Star Pubs, which owns the Brunswick Arms building, said:
“We had no knowledge of this meeting and wouldn’t expect to as although Star Pubs owns the building, The Brunswick Arms is leased to an independent operator to run as his own business. He is responsible for the day‑to‑day running of the pub. We will however bring the situation to his attention.”
The landlord of The Brunswick Arms has been approached for comment.
Local context
The Brunswick Arms is located on Duke Street in the Uplands area of Swansea, close to St Helen’s Road — one of the city’s most multicultural streets, home to international restaurants and food stores. Swansea became one of the UK’s first Cities of Sanctuary in 2010, committing to create a culture of welcome and hospitality for newcomers.
Many petition signatories, including long‑standing customers, have left comments expressing their dismay at the pub’s decision to host the event. The petition remains open for additional signatures and can be viewed online here.
There are a number of things wrong with this editorial. 1. No such thing as far right or far left. You are either one or the other or are or on the fence. 2. The party cannot be labeled as racist, because there is no good evidence to say that it is. Using words such as ‘racist’ is an opinion that some may hold, but it doesn’t make it true. Maybe some of the readers of your newspaper might like to pick up a copy of Orwell’s 1984 and perhaps compare that the the state of the nation today. If you have a petition with 200 signatories We’ll done. Not put out a counter petition that asks if people agree with this daft idea. Attempts to ‘other’ the landlord of this pub doesn’t nothing other that stifle free speech. The signatories to this option do nothing that cause hardship the pub and possible the staff that are employed by the pub. Selfish. I would not consider a venue hosting a left leaning party with the contempt that these 200 people have, for no other reason that I stand for free speech, I stand for a proud independent nation, and I stand for democracy and equality under the law. Now some people may disagree with this, but look around you, the world is awakening. And bye the way, Tommy Robinson should be applauded, he speaks truth to power, it’s a shame that power and press are deaf!
So it’s okay for the woke left to have meetings yet anyone that doesn’t agree with their weak sauce approach are far right !!!
When have “the woke left” had meetings in that pub ? the only other group i know of thats had a meet up in that pub in the last 10 years of me drinking there regularly were a Canadian supporters group a few months back before they played Wales, and they definitely weren’t political
Spot-on. I bet they would not complain if the thugs from Antifa had a meeting there..
Spot on