A Britain divided against itself

Nasty political campaigns invariably scar societies long after their immediate objectives are fulfilled. The Leave campaign in the Brexit referendum was xenophobic,

Nasty political campaigns invariably scar societies long after their immediate objectives are fulfilled. The Leave campaign in the Brexit referendum was xenophobic, marked by a steady dose of anti-immigrant rhetoric, while the Remain camp focused on the benefits of staying within the European Union (EU). The Leave campaigners spun a story that leaving the EU would help the Britain rid of immigrants. This message resonated widely and we are now seeing an unsavoury triumphalism on view in the country with increasing incidence of minorities being targeted. After Brexit, hateful graffiti appeared on a Polish community centre in London, young men cornered a Muslim girl in Birmingham and shouted “Get out, we voted Leave”; minorities who have lived for generations in Britain are being told in the street (and on social media) to “pack up and go home”. Sayeeda Warsi, the Conservative Party leader, has said “the atmosphere on the street is not good”.

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British intellectuals are mystified by this ugly nationalism and there is an emerging consensus that what we are seeing is a backlash against the uneven outcomes of globalisation — whereby the few with access to economic and cultural capital have benefitted from an interconnected world while millions in the working class were shut out. Politicians managed this asymmetry by increased public spending when credit was cheap in the heyday of New Labour but this was not sustainable following the 2008 financial crisis. Instead of seeing the benefits of a common market the underprivileged in Britain saw austerity being imposed by the Conservatives. Worsening economic prospects and free movement of people enabled by EU legislation made it easy for Right-wing politicians to manipulate opinion against migrants.

We are in a moment when Britain’s identity as a diverse, cosmopolitan nation is being challenged — when it is witnessing intense cultural wars that have been set off by economic decline. The country’s leaders need to handle both spheres dexterously, reaffirming the values of diversity, enforcing the law to reassure migrants and minorities in Britain and those watching from afar. Prime Minister David Cameron has done the right thing by firmly stating his government will not stand for hate crime or the kind of attacks seen so far. Britain may find it easier to enforce the law over the short-term. Restoring the social fabric when the economy is struggling and ensuring globalisation works for all will be a lot tougher.