By Junior Usina
Immigration or Brexit did not cause white British decline in UK major cities as right-wing political commentators want you to believe.
The United Kingdom is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. The 2021 census data recently released by ONS sparked outrage online among right-wing political commentators who were shocked and noticeably outraged. According to newly released race and ethnicity data, there is a further decline in people identifying as White British and Christians.
The outrage displayed by right-wing political commentators is based on a false notion. That is the idea that White people are now in the minority in the UK. In Manchester 57 per cent identify as white, while London is 54 per cent and Birmingham 49 per cent. A whopping 78 per cent of people identified as British, and black and mixed raced and British minority groups are more likely to identify as British than white in London.
So, what had caused White British decline in UK’s most diverse cities?
Surely, not an increase in immigration or Brexit as right-wing political commentators want you to believe.
In recent years there had been calls for action to tackle the growing ethnic segregation across the UK. According to the ONS current data release on race and ethnicity, ethnic minority groups in the UK are becoming more diverse. Past studies show that White British people are moving out from some UK’s main areas where there is increasing ethnic minority groups’ diversity. White minority in London, Manchester, and Birmingham may rise from White British flight, that is White British people exiting diverse areas rather than a decline caused by immigration.
Another lie by the right-wing political commentators is about restricted areas, the isolation of a race class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence. White British are simply fleeing and moving out of these areas by voluntary means or for other reasons, they are not been forced out by immigration.
Meaningful contact diminished intergroup prejudice and enhanced cultural knowledge. It looks like these right-wing political commentators are not having any meaningful contact with other groups or they simply decide to ignore the UK is more diverse. More diverse ethnic groups identify as British according to the ONS 2021 data.
White people are increasingly less present in London, Manchester, and Birmingham and these cities are the most diverse in the UK. Communities with fewer White British are at a greater rate in diverse areas.
The British White population are exiting inner-city regions in an increasing number, and they avoid moving to diverse areas when they do move. At the same time, there are only miniature variations in ethnic diversity in the most largely British White areas, such as Barrow in Furness, Mid-Devon, Bassetlaw, and Mid Sussex. White British flight is persistent in some areas across England and Wales urban areas, particularly London boroughs’ towns and inner cities.
The UK is becoming increasingly diverse, but the levels of integration are not keeping pace. White British family units should be stimulated to stay in culturally changing areas to decrease the inclination. Social isolation challenge trust among neighbours, cultivates anxiety and promotes the prejudice which drives the politics of accusation the right-wing political commentators are parading on social media.
