The rise of anti-migrant talk
The United Kingdom continues to benefit from migrants: they strengthen our economy, enrich our culture and benefit society. Some migrants have come to the UK recently - others have been part of society in the UK for many generations. Many public sector services would cease to function without a migrant labour force. Many of us are ourselves migrants or come from a migrant background.
Over the summer there has been a marked increase in talk that is anti-migrant. Some of this is explicitly racist. Some of the talk stems from the concerns of people who are frustrated about jobs and houses. Some of the talk stems from the issue of small boat crossings.
Some seek to weaponise this talk to service their own political ambitions. Much of this seems to adopt the politics of Donald Trump in the USA who has found that a strong anti-migrant message can be effective at election time.
Like many other countries outside the UK, there has been a widespread use of national flags across the UK for many years: use of the national flag in Wales (the ‘Red Dragon’), the national flag in Scotland (the Saltire) and, especially at major international football tournaments, the national flag in England (the St Georges flag). Just as the National Front sought to co-opt the UK national flag – the Union Jack - in the 1970s the far right today attempts to co-opt the St George’s flag in England for its own ends.
We know from recent European history that the politics of right-wing extremism are rooted in poverty and a sense of marginalisation. What is different is that today there is additionally a culture of misinformation and grievance nurtured and spread on social media.
The practice of social work relies on a society where all are held to be of equal value. Resolving these complex and long-standing issues won’t be an easy or straightforward process, but BASW is ready to work with those who seek to unite rather than divide.
