How far-right rhetoric on migration went mainstream
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This episode is titled:
How far-right rhetoric on migration went mainstream
Notable Quotes
"A visceral rage has gripped Britain in recent weeks."
"It does just feel like actually a broad part of the British media and political class is now repeating the very framing that we would maybe have seen a bit more resistance to a few years ago."
"Immigration is such a useful tool for politicians and others who want to engage in this kind of anti-migrant politics."
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Get More InsightsEpisode Summary
The episode delves into the alarming rise of anti-migrant sentiment in the UK, highlighting how recent events, such as the racial abuse of schoolchildren mistaken for migrants, have fed into a narrative of fear and hostility. Various political figures have been implicated in amplifying this rhetoric, leading to protests against asylum seekers housed in local hotels.
Experts discuss the current public mood, describing it as increasingly hostile towards migrants and fueled by misinformation portraying asylum seekers as criminals. The involvement of political parties, particularly Labour, in reinforcing these negative perceptions is scrutinized, as they adopt securitized language and policy approaches that treat migrants as threats rather than individuals seeking refuge.
The atmosphere is compared to a 'tinder keg' situation, with demonstrators needlessly stoking fears about safety and criminality linked to migrants, despite a lack of evidence to support these claims. This shift in discourse has affected not only public perception but also the experiences of minority communities in the UK, highlighting a very real fear that they face in their daily lives.
Maya Goodfellow emphasizes the need for politicians to challenge the harmful narratives surrounding immigration and advocates for policies that respect human rights and acknowledge the contributions of migrants to society, rather than scapegoating them for broader societal issues. Ultimately, the episode poses pressing questions about how to navigate the future of immigration discourse and policy in the UK, amidst a backdrop of rising xenophobia and politicization of migration issues.
Experts discuss the current public mood, describing it as increasingly hostile towards migrants and fueled by misinformation portraying asylum seekers as criminals. The involvement of political parties, particularly Labour, in reinforcing these negative perceptions is scrutinized, as they adopt securitized language and policy approaches that treat migrants as threats rather than individuals seeking refuge.
The atmosphere is compared to a 'tinder keg' situation, with demonstrators needlessly stoking fears about safety and criminality linked to migrants, despite a lack of evidence to support these claims. This shift in discourse has affected not only public perception but also the experiences of minority communities in the UK, highlighting a very real fear that they face in their daily lives.
Maya Goodfellow emphasizes the need for politicians to challenge the harmful narratives surrounding immigration and advocates for policies that respect human rights and acknowledge the contributions of migrants to society, rather than scapegoating them for broader societal issues. Ultimately, the episode poses pressing questions about how to navigate the future of immigration discourse and policy in the UK, amidst a backdrop of rising xenophobia and politicization of migration issues.
Key Takeaways
- Anti-migrant sentiment in the UK has escalated due to political rhetoric and misinformation.
- Public protests against asylum seekers reflect deep-rooted fears about safety and crime, despite a lack of evidence.
- The Labour government has adopted a securitized approach to immigration, echoing negative perceptions.
- The rhetoric surrounding migrants has significant repercussions for communities of color in everyday life.
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