https://arab.news/72pyj
The continuing protests at UK hotels housing asylum seekers no doubt risk slowly descending into a breakdown of law and order if they are left undealt with by a government that is trying its best to contain public anger and a far right that is determined to use the immigration debate to win as many votes as possible. The UK government of Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, after only one year in office, seems to be fighting a losing battle as it seeks to stem public anger and attempts to erode its legitimacy based on the false narrative that it is failing to control the UK’s borders.
The UK’s immigration system needs fixing; not now, not yesterday, but for the past several decades. The problem today, however, is how can the current government diffuse the tension that is mounting every day in communities up and down the country? How can it calm those who believe the nation is being invaded by foreigners — people that “don’t look like us” and are culturally different.
Even before the social media era, history was awash with stories of failed integration, and that remains a ready recipe to be whipped up by populist leaders and right-wing parties to create a schism in society that will only increase hate and uncertainty. This is not only for the newcomers, but also for those in society who are demonstrating and protesting, as the end result might be more isolationism, prejudice and social segregation that tarnishes the country for decades to come.
