THE recent victories gained by Reform UK in the local elections are a cause for grave concern. These developments have ushered in a rightward shift in parliamentary politics in the country. The party’s naked racism, far-right rhetoric, and anti-immigrant position have pervaded British society, pushing other political actors rightwards.

In response to these election losses, the Labour government has announced plans to crack down on immigration and curb pathways to obtain a visa to study, work or even seek asylum in Britain.

The recently released immigration white paper containing these reforms intends to radically alter immigration policy in the nation. We express our deepest concern and condemnation for these proposed changes and urge immediate action to halt their implementation. An attack on legal migration will present a threat to British society as a whole and corrode the existing social diversity and harmony.

Reform UK, helmed by Nigel Farage, won 677 of around 1,600 seats contested in the local election and displaced the Labour and Conservative dominance in several councils. The alarming rise of the far-right comes at a time when the country remains haunted by the spectre of the violent racist and Islamophobic riots in August 2024.

The role of Reform UK in provoking unrest through its anti-immigrant rhetoric is undeniable. The environment of fear and hostility that characterised many British cities at the time is a sign of what is to come with Reform UK’s recent victories.

The disturbing rise of far-right elements signifies an impending crisis exacerbated by economic inflation and the cost-of-living pressures. The party has been leveraging these anxieties and nationalist fervour to construct a public enemy and direct hatred towards immigrants, rather than seeking structural solutions to social crises.

It is no surprise, then, that conservative sentiments have gained traction, fostering an environment of explicit racism that endangers racial minorities, migrant workers and international students. This state of affairs has been enabled and sustained by both Conservative and Labour governments, which continue to parrot the same anti-immigrant rhetoric.

In an effort to beat Reform UK at its own game, the incumbent Labour government has announced plans to tighten immigration policy further. This includes introducing new visa restrictions that target nationals from countries with high asylum claim rates, such as Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, the government plans to impose a restriction on social care visas, as well as a ban on close family members accompanying the visa-holders. The proposed changes include a tightening of student visas and a curtailment of the Graduate Visa to a period of 18 months post-study.

The government continues to claim these are necessary moves to prevent “abuse” of the system. This rhetoric ignores the significant contributions that immigrants have made to the country’s industry, commerce, art, and healthcare. International students are pivotal in fueling British universities socially, culturally and intellectually.

The reduction in international student numbers has already resulted in a corrosion of university functioning by weakening knowledge production, leading to financial instability and academic stagnancy. The declining number of healthcare workers migrating to Britain hints at a reduction in the capacity of social care and healthcare institutions to handle public demand.

Instead of directing efforts toward increased public funding for the NHS and better remuneration for its staff, the white paper pins blame onto migrant healthcare workers who are already hyper-exploited. Blatant discrimination against refugees and denial of asylum contradicts the country’s obligations under both national and international law. The government’s proposed changes to migration policy will only hasten the complete collapse of law and public infrastructure in Britain.

The white paper makes repeated references to the lack of training and employment opportunities for the British public, and blames this on the influx of immigrants, rather than introspecting on the government’s own economic failures.

The paper cites several statistics to demonstrate that the per capita income of the British public has stagnated. However, it thwarts sustainable solutions in the form of increased funding for higher education institutions, raising welfare benefits and strengthening healthcare services.

Instead, the document adopts an illogical stance by criticising immigration policy as the primary reason for these issues. By claiming that the nation is on the verge of becoming an “island of strangers,” Keir Starmer invoked memories of Enoch Powell’s “rivers of blood” speech and exposed the racist rhetoric that underlines this policy.

Repeated comments on the need for immigrants to integrate into local communities and unsubstantiated mentions of the rise of “criminal gangs” echo the far-right sentiments that have begun to dominate media discourse in the recent past. These divisive, xenophobic views threaten the existing social cohesion between communities in Britain and sow seeds of hatred among the working people.

We staunchly condemn the rise of anti-immigrant sentiments and the plan to tighten legal routes to immigrate to the United Kingdom. We urge progressive organisations to build a united front against these developments and take action toward protecting the rights of racial minorities and immigrant communities.

These changes present an immense threat to the social fabric of the country as a whole and will carry wide-ranging repercussions for social institutions, public services and community welfare in Britain. At this moment in time, it is pertinent to remain one step ahead of the conservative shift and ward off this grave danger to British society.

The Students’ Federation of India (United Kingdom), Indian Workers Association, Kairali UK, Greek Migrants Solidarity Initiative Scotland, Caribbean Labour Solidarity, Indian Labour Solidarity, Scottish Indians for Justice, Trade Union Friends of Bhopal, Soas Ambedkar Society, Bangladeshi Workers’ Council, Sabby Dhalu and Weyman Bennett (Stand Up To Racism national organisers), and the Young Communist League.