Racism is creeping back into Britain, says Keir Starmer

Racism is resurfacing in Britain, making life more hostile for some ethnic minority communities, according to recent accounts and expert analysis. Ali Haydor, who moved to Britain from Bangladesh as a child, now feels he wishes he could hide his identity on certain days.

Violent incidents have become focal points for right-wing activists. In Southampton, protests erupted after a British-born Sikh falsely accused a white victim of racism before being jailed for murder. A video of police handling the victim's final moments sparked outrage and calls to change police guidance on ethnic profiling. Separately, masked men targeted migrants in Belfast after a Sudanese immigrant allegedly stabbed a white man.

These events tap into simmering tensions over national identity and immigration. While such cases are rare, they rally right-wing politicians and activists. The Migration Observatory notes that while Britons were once more open to immigration than many Europeans, attitudes have hardened since 2022. Polling suggests younger, left-leaning voters are more favorable to immigration than older, right-leaning groups.

“

Anybody of colour is at risk at the moment. As much as we love our heritage and identity, sometimes (I wish) we could just hide it.

Experts and trade unions report a growing number of racist incidents. The Royal College of Nursing, for example, documented a 55% rise in racial discrimination experienced by its members since 2022. Paul Rees, head of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, stated that a third of healthcare staff are from Black, Asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds, many of whom report facing abuse not seen in decades.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned racism and associated violence, warning of its return. However, union leaders and experts argue that political rhetoric from various politicians has created a more permissive environment for overt racism. The focus on crime, even when not representative of the majority of immigrants, adds pressure on social cohesion.

“

they are today facing the kind of abuse they haven't received in decades.