In a powerful address delivered in Washington on Tuesday, the home secretary issued a stark warning that resonates with those who uphold fundamental human rights for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and refugees fleeing from war, persecution, poverty, and climate change (UN rebukes Suella Braverman over her attack on refugee convention, 26 September). Suella Braverman’s nonchalant disregard for the 1951 refugee convention, established after the horrors of Nazism, can only embolden far-right extremists and neo-Nazis around the globe.
Across Europe, a growing darkness is descending. In the UK, right-wing followers relentlessly sow the seeds of anti-refugee sentiment, with the prison-like detention center in Portland serving as a prominent manifestation. Numerous other examples, such as cynical dog-whistling regarding deportations to Rwanda, abound.
In the late 1970s, a similar threat emerged with the rise of the National Front (NF). Responding to this danger, we established the Anti Nazi League, which successfully united hundreds of thousands of anti-racists, trade unionists, migrant communities, and community activists to prevent the NF from infiltrating mainstream British politics. Whenever the NF attempted to organize, they encountered an impenetrable wall of opposition, largely due to the influential Rock Against Racism movement.
We firmly believe that such a movement is imperative once again. Fortunately, anti-racist activists are already taking a stand against the harassment faced by refugees housed in hotels—an issue that has become increasingly prevalent. However, we believe it is essential to deepen and expand this movement, infiltrating every workplace, housing estate, college, and community.
Braverman, with the backing of Rishi Sunak, has crossed a critical line. Edward Heath dismissed Enoch Powell from the shadow cabinet following his infamous “rivers of blood” speech in 1968. Margaret Thatcher never repeated her appalling “swamping” speech of 1978. Yet, today, the Tory government openly espouses the language of the hard-right and racist factions. Multiculturalism is attacked, and refugees are increasingly associated with terms such as “invasion,” “threat to national security,” and “criminality” within the political discourse. We are witnessing the emergence of a UK version of the Trump playbook.
We cannot afford to delay. Giorgia Meloni, Marine Le Pen, and Donald Trump serve as cautionary examples. Braverman’s message of hatred and divisive tactics must be urgently resisted. She is no longer suitable to hold the position of home secretary, and the Home Office is clearly failing in its purpose.
Peter Hain and Paul Holborow
Founding Members, Anti Nazi League 1977
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
