Immigration: the big lie - Mehdi Hasan

Synopsis

In Clacton, a town with a population that is almost entirely white British, the fear of immigration drives political outcomes, as seen in the October by-election where UKIP's victory was fueled by concerns over invisible immigrants. Despite fewer than 1 in 20 residents being born abroad, anxiety about immigration is prevalent, particularly among older populations who are least affected by competition for jobs. This contrasts sharply with the City of London, which has a higher proportion of migrants yet shows no significant backlash against them. The narrative around immigration is not new; historical surveys from 1978 reveal that 70% of the British public felt the UK was being overwhelmed by different cultures, despite negative net migration at the time. The documentary highlights how perceptions of immigration often stem from fear and prejudice rather than actual demographic changes, putting pressure on public services and shaping political discourse.