Does Britain have an immigration problem? Politicians hope cracking down on migration will undercut the UK’s burgeoning far right. But many experts say it is not so simple.
Fury and fear at largest far-right march
Flag bearers: More than 100,000 people attended a march organised by a far-right activist, while 5,000 attended a counter-protest. Comprehension quiz
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The word “Islamophobia” in this context means:
A: The belief that all religions are harmful.
B: A dislike of or prejudice against Muslims.
C: A political movement to establish sharia law.
D: A theory about immigration from Islamic countries.
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Which word is the closest synonym for “warped”?
A: Clear
B: Unbiased
C: Accurate
D: Distorted
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According to the article, which of the following groups were involved in the counter-protest at the Battle of Cable Street?
A: Police officers and government officials.
B: The English Defence League and Oswald Mosley’s supporters.
C: Local Jewish people, left-wing groups, and trade unionists.
D: Non-White British citizens and recent migrants.
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What does the article state about the impact of working-age migrants on public services?
A: They have a net negative impact.
B: They put a significant strain on all public services.
C: They contribute more in tax than they use in services.
D: Their impact is unknown and cannot be measured.
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In your own words, summarise the two different arguments presented in the article for what is causing the rise of the far-right.
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The UK government hopes to “suck the energy” from the far-right movement by lowering immigration. Using evidence from the text, explain two reasons why this strategy on its own might not be successful.
Answers
Tap to reveal
1. B 2. D 3. C 4. C 5. One argument is that the movement is fuelled by genuine public anxiety over immigration and its perceived strain on housing and public services. The other argument is that the movement is driven primarily by racism and Islamophobia, including belief in conspiracy theories, which cannot be solved simply by reducing immigration. 6. Including two of the following responses, supported by the text: Public perception is inaccurate, The core motivation for some is not migration, The reduction in migration numbers is not seen as an achievement.
1. B 2. D 3. C 4. C 5. One argument is that the movement is fuelled by genuine public anxiety over immigration and its perceived strain on housing and public services. The other argument is that the movement is driven primarily by racism and Islamophobia, including belief in conspiracy theories, which cannot be solved simply by reducing immigration. 6. Including two of the following responses, supported by the text: Public perception is inaccurate, The core motivation for some is not migration, The reduction in migration numbers is not seen as an achievement.
Glossary
Fascists - Following fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism.
Oswald Mosley - A British aristocrat and politician (1896 - 1980) who is known for his fascist beliefs.
Trade unionists - Members of trade unions, organisations of workers who band together to negotiate their wages and working conditions collectively, on grounds that this gives them more bargaining power.
English Defence League - A far-right, racist organisation based in the UK that believes British values and culture are under threat from Muslims and immigrants.
Tommy Robinson - A British far-right activist. He was a founder of the EDL (English Defence League). His real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and he has served a number of prison terms.
Elon Musk - A South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. He now controls Twitter, renamed 'X'.
Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.
Immigration - The permanent movement of people into a country.
Net migration - The difference between the number of people moving into a country (immigrants) and the number of people leaving the country (emigrants).
Public services - Services the government or an official body provides. In the UK, for example: health care, waste removal, transport infrastructure.
White genocide - A White nationalist conspiracy theory which suggests there is a deliberate plot to cause the extinction of White people.
Sharia law - A legal system based on Islamic teaching. Gay Afghans and Afghan women say the Taliban’s strict reading of Sharia is not compatible with their human rights.