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.

An attempt to limit the availability of housing to refugees and asylum seekers has been openly advocated by a senior municipal councillor in south-east London. The remarks, challenged at the time by people within the Labour party, have echoed in Parliament and the media.

In another attempt to reposition the Labour government further to the Right, the prime minister unveiled plans at the TUC Congress to crack down on immigration and reduce the number of people entering Britain from outside the EU by at least 35,000 per year.

Under the ‘British first’ policy, Gordon Brown is offering incentives and local employment partnerships to train and employ inactive or unemployed people. He wants to create 500,000 jobs — a job for every British worker. The controversial initiative is targeted towards limiting the number of non-English speaking migrants from outside the EU. It would be illegal to restrict movement of labour within the EU itself.

Under the government’s new ‘points system’, there are three main categories of immigrants coming to Britain from outside the EU to work: highly skilled, skilled and low skilled. The first two categories can settle permanently in Britain after five years and the third cannot.

In an unprecedented retrospective move, the home secretary is expected to announce that following the condition of entry applied to highly skilled migrants — to pass an examination in English — this will now be extended to all skilled migrants. Out of the 96,000 who entered Britain as skilled migrants about 35,000 are expected to fail.

The government is also considering extending the restrictions to low skilled workers, such as agricultural labour, even though they cannot settle permanently in Britain.

The irony is that due to poor educational standards in Britain today, 5 million people cannot read! In the 16-24 years age group, 25 per cent fail even a basic test in English.

In what will possibly be one of the most protracted election campaigns, with Labour and Tories competing for the centre and Right of British politics, attacks on the rights of ethnic minorities can only get worse. The Left in Britain is fragmented and will need to reorganise and focus on defending the rights of all workers, regardless of race, sex or creed.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, “In the end, we don’t have to remember the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends”.

The writer is national general secretary, Indian Workers’ Association,UK