Yesterday’s Government White Paper missed the mark, does little to address the needs of those struggling and demonises immigrants.
As an organisation working to address the issues that divide communities, HOPE not hate has always urged the Government to meet the challenges of low wages, crumbling public services and the lack of social cohesion in this country.
We must be clear, placing the blame for our economic circumstances on newly-arrived immigrants risks scapegoating and misses the opportunity to address underlying issues. By retreating into harmful rhetoric that will likely exacerbate anti-immigration feelings amongst the public and harm those fleeing war and persecution.
As our own polling shows, deprivation and pessimism drives hostility to immigration.
In our 2018 report Fear, Hope and Loss, we found those most hostile to immigration were concentrated in areas with significant socio-economic problems, principally ex-industrial areas and isolated coastal communities. Almost all were in towns that have experienced significant decline and with overwhelmingly white British populations, where work is scarce, precarious, low-paid and low-skilled.
The greater the deprivation and speed of decline the more people want to stop immigration into Britain. Those with the least in our society are frustrated. It’s essential that the government focuses on supporting those at the sharp end of our economic circumstances, and reducing tensions within communities.
HOPE not hate does not believe in sweeping issues under the carpet.
For years, political decisions like austerity and brexit, followed by the covid-19 pandemic, have hit this country hard. People understandably have noticed how much harder it is to get by, to fill their shopping trolley and to access the services they need.
Communities feel isolated, and in times of economic hardship, it is harder to come together, forge friendships and tackle local issues.
But, the British public have a far more nuanced position on immigration than the media or politicians give them credit for.
What we need is an honest and open discussion about immigration, one that balances our needs with our moral and legal obligations.
A discussion that examines the many real challenges immigration can bring to communities already suffering from the consequences of years of public sector cuts, with the cultural and economic benefits that immigration can bring.
Unfortunately, this white paper appears to be a knee-jerk reaction to the rise of Reform UK.
Language has been deliberately chosen to demonise and marginalise immigrants. The white paper risks only inflaming the political debate around immigration further, sets possibly unrealistic targets and is allowing the far right to set the agenda.
The British public want the Government to do more.
Up and down the country, we see that our nation is full of proud and friendly people who support our multicultural system.
We will achieve this by working together, using language that unifies rather than divides and by having a mature and considered immigration policy that is the best for Britain, not one that simply attempts to win back a small segment of voters who have switched to the far right.
Prefer to listen? Click the play button to hear the audio version. Harry Shukman Reform UK is staffed by oddballs and enigmas, but none odder…
