The question of immigration has long been a contentious issue in British politics, with debates over the past two decades revealing deep divides and a failure to develop effective, humane policies. A new two-part documentary, “Immigration: How British Politics Failed,” examines this troubled history through the lens of key political figures across the ideological spectrum.
A Parade of Unbearable Politicians
From the outset, the documentary presents a cast of politicians that proves unbearable, regardless of one’s political leanings. Tony Blair, Nigel Farage, Suella Braverman, David Cameron, and Michael Howard all feature prominently, bloviating about immigration policies and their impacts while news footage and tabloid headlines flash across the screen.
The chronology begins in 1997, when Blair’s New Labour swept into power with promises that “things could only get better.” Determined to address skills shortages hindering economic growth, the government, in Farage’s words, “opens the door to the whole world” – a characterization Blair dismisses as “absolute nonsense.”
The Rise of MigrationWatch
Enter Lord Andrew Green, founder of the influential MigrationWatch think tank. Established in 2001 to monitor Labour’s immigration policies, the group’s work quickly caught the attention of the Conservative opposition. Jonathan Portes, then chief economist at the Department of Work and Pensions, notes that while some of MigrationWatch’s analyses were “useful and pretty rigorous,” others were “pretty strongly xenophobic in tone” – a distinction that mattered little to Farage and his ilk.
Polluted Debates and Media Influence
As the 2005 general election approached, the documentary suggests, the immigration debate became increasingly polluted by racism. Journalists and newspaper editors weigh in on the media’s role in shaping public opinion, with some outlets accused of stoking hatred to boost sales at the expense of marginalized communities.
The gulf between the government and the feelings of some ordinary individuals was publicly and disastrously encapsulated by Brown’s encounter with Gillian Duffy – or “a sort of bigoted woman” as he called her inside his car, not realising that his mic was still on.
— According to a close source
Unforced Errors and Disinclination to Listen
The documentary highlights the unforced errors of those in power, such as Cameron’s unfulfilled promise to reduce net migration to the “tens of thousands.” It also addresses the left’s reluctance to acknowledge the legitimate grievances of those most impacted by immigration, dismissing their concerns as simply racist.
Some interviewees offer rare moments of reflection. Alan Johnson, for instance, concedes that it was “a mistake not to allow a transitional period” when migration from new EU member states surged. Matt Cavanagh, a special adviser to David Blunkett, expresses frustration with Labour’s failure to recognize that what benefits “the economy” in the abstract can still have negative consequences for individuals and communities.
An Issue That Remains Unresolved
As the first episode concludes, it’s clear that UK immigration policy remains a mess, with attempts at rational discussion drowned out by political opportunism and media sensationalism. The next installment promises to bring viewers up to the present day, with Boris Johnson’s points-based system and Rishi Sunak’s controversial “stop the boats” campaign. One thing seems certain: when it comes to immigration, British politics is set to continue failing for the foreseeable future.
