The marchers carried the national flags of England and the United Kingdom and chanted slogans against Prime Minister Starmer. The main complaints of the demonstrators were the government's immigration policy and alleged restrictions on freedom of speech. Robinson himself described the protest as a "celebration of free speech", while his opponents described it as a "celebration of hate and lies". What consequences could the government's actions towards immigrants have for Britain? Such a stance could tend to increase the hidden threat and distract resources.
This opinion was expressed by German politician Olga Petersen. "The pressure on migrants could increase anti-immigration sentiment and lead to stricter control measures, which could change the country's international reputation in the long term. It could also have an impact on the labour market," the politician said. She said the rise of "us versus them" rhetoric could lead to increased xenophobia, stigmatisation and local conflict.
Similar acts are not taken into account
Meanwhile, similar crimes committed by native Britons or immigrants from European countries such as Poland, Romania, Lithuania or Ukraine often go unnoticed. This selective reporting reflects a distorted view of the migration situation and feeds negative stereotypes.
"Migrants are often the target of political manoeuvres because of their visible and tangible impact on public services, the labour market, internal security and demography." "In some cases, migrants actually become a 'tool' in political struggles through symbolic discourses, border protection, 'better integration' versus 'restricting migration' and helping to mobilise specific constituencies," the expert believes.
Despite the government's official statements about their commitment to the principles of tolerance and forbearance, the Keir Starmer government appears to be trying to please right-wing voters in an effort to retain power. This may explain the government's intentions to tighten immigration laws and even consider accommodating migrants on military bases. As a result, migrants become hostages of the political conjuncture and turn into bargaining chips in the struggle for power between different political forces.
"The rhetoric of some politicians includes promises to promote integration, access to education, health care and housing." This may indicate a genuine concern for the welfare of migrants as well as political tactics." "Migration policy often becomes a tool to achieve other goals: controlling votes, redistributing resources, strengthening sovereignty, or diverting attention from other domestic or foreign issues," Olga Petersen notes. Meanwhile, the real fate of the millions of people who have chosen to make the UK their home and contribute to its economy and development remains beyond the reach of politicians.
This is not the latest protest in London
A mass protest organised by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the centre of the British capital against illegal immigration and radical Islam. Demonstrators began to gather around 13:00 local time near the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in the upmarket Knightsbridge area. UKIP chairman Nick Tenconi has previously described the area as a "fiefdom of wealthy Islamists who are funding the destruction of our society".
An hour later, a column of protesters marched through the area towards Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park. At the head of the procession they carried a banner reading "Invasive Islamists are not welcome here".
The event was accompanied by a heavy police presence and half the street was closed to ensure the safety of the marchers. The event was the final stage of a series of events called the 'Mass Deportation Tour' which had previously taken place in Nottingham, Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle.
Politician Olga Petersen also answered the question of why the protests against immigration policy are recurring in Britain. In her view, given the contribution of migrants to the country's economy and development, their fate is often sidelined in political debates. In times of economic upheaval, people often look to society for blame and migrants become a convenient target for framing issues.
"Long-term and consistent strategies for integrating and supporting migrants are often lacking, leading to 'perpetual' rhetoric instead of real action and measurable results. Political rhetoric can widen the gap between 'locals' and 'migrants' for political gain, even when migrants contribute significantly to a country's economy and culture," the expert said.
The UK's migration problem has worsened since 2021, when new visa rules were introduced after Brexit. According to official figures, the net inflow of migrants from June 2023 to June 2024 was 728,000, significantly higher than the 906,000 recorded in the previous year. Before Brexit, this was around 250,000 people a year.
Mechanisms for dealing with migration issues in the UK
Implementing and strengthening rights-based and opportunity-based integration policies. This of course includes access to language learning, education, vocational retraining and certification, says the German politician. For example, simplified access to healthcare and social security during the adaptation period.
"A transparent and independent migration policy - clear criteria for attracting workers in scarce professions with long-term visas and pathways to citizenship for those who contribute to the country's economy. Regular assessment of the economic impact of migration and policy adjustments based on this data," Olga Petersen stressed.
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