Original version

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

The Inquiry

Documentaries

Factual

News

Getting beyond the headlines to explore the forces and ideas shaping the world

The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

The Inquiry: How Did Immigration Stop Being a Political Taboo in the UK?

How did immigration stop being a political taboo in the UK?

18/05/2017 GMT

How Did Immigration Stop Being a Political Taboo in the UK?

BBC World Service - The Inquiry, How Did Immigration Stop Being a Political Taboo in the UK?

Brexit showed that the issue is now among the most important for British voters. And that’s likely to continue in June’s UK general election, as major parties have made their positions on immigration central to their campaigns. 
And yet for decades, immigration was a no-go area for mainstream debate. Following racial tensions in the 1960s, it came to be perceived as a proxy for racism. Today it is one of the most salient issues in British politics. What changed?

Producer: Estelle Doyle
Presenter: Ruth Alexander

(Photo: Border Force check the passports of passengers arriving at Gatwick Airport in London, England. Credit: Getty images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Inquiry

How Did Immigration Stop Being a Political Taboo in the UK?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service