As I sit by my ailing mother, my thoughts turn to the difficulties she faced in raising a young migrant family in the United Kingdom during the early sixties — unable to communicate in English and with only the ability to work hard to meet our ever increasing demands as children.

My mother, like many of her generation, was either illiterate or poorly educated, yet made an invaluable contribution to the British economy; often accepting poorly-paid and hazardous work that the local population no longer wished to do. The manufacturing industry, health and transport systems were classic examples of reliance on migrant workers. Even today there is a disproportionately higher representation of ethnic workers in the health and transport sectors. The arrival of a large number of Asians, many from East Africa, brought sinister aspects of racism to the fore.

These communities, represented by organisations like the Indian Workers’ Association and religious institutions, campaigned for changes in legislation. In 1976, with the introduction of the Race Relations Act, it became unlawful to discriminate on racial grounds. A permanent, well-resourced Commission for Race Equality was established.

Now 30 years later, our supposedly Left-wing government in Britain is adopting Right-wing rhetoric and policies, despite increased members of Parliament from ethnic minorities. The language of national chauvinism that we had come to associate with the Right-wing parties is now being articulated by those close to the government. Instead of celebrating the positive benefits of diversity, it is promoting social cohesion. This is clear in Gordon Brown’s desire to fly the Union Jack in every corner of Britain, or to curb translations in the public services. The chairman of the Commission for Race Equality, Trevor Phillips, has now opened a debate questioning multi-culturalism.

... contd.