- Friday, February 28, 2025
The Windrush 75th anniversary is an important moment to honour the pioneers of this history, says Sunder Katwala, director of British Future and co-author of the report.
By: Shubham Ghosh
Eighty per cent of British people from ethnic minorities consider the UK as a better place to live for non-white people than some of the other western countries such as the US, Germany or France.
However, more miles to be covered yet.
According to a new research published on Wednesday (7), ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Windrush reaching the British shores, two-thirds (67 per cent) of ethnic minority respondents agree that “Black and Asian people face discrimination in their everyday lives in Britain today,” while only 10 per cent disagree.
The new findings are released in ‘Why the Windrush matters today’ — a new report by think tank British Future as part of the Windrush 75 network, drawing on new polling by Focaldata and a series of discussion groups.
The report offers a ‘state of the nation’ picture of public attitude on race, identity and prejudice in the UK today. It also examines what people know and feel about the Windrush, how its 75th anniversary on June 22 should be commemorated and what should be done now to address issues such as prejudice and bring people together.
The HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury docks in 1948, carrying more than 800 passengers from the Caribbean. The moment has come to symbolise the start of post-war Commonwealth migration and Britain’s multi-ethnic society today. On June 22, 2023, the 75th anniversary of the ship’s arrival will be celebrated with events taking place across the UK.
Sunder Katwala, director of British Future and co-author of the report, said, “The Windrush 75th anniversary is an important moment to honour the pioneers of this history. It should now be seized as a chance to imagine our future too. Britain has changed for the better in these 75 years but we must also focus on the progress we still need to see on race. Committing now to an ambitious agenda for change in the quarter-century to come would be a fitting legacy.”
The research finds a balanced public view of the progress made on race and the progress which is still needed.
Seven in 10 people (71 per cent) and of ethnic minorities too (68 per cent) agree that “The UK has made significant progress on racial equality in the last 25 years”.
But 80 per cent of ethnic minorities and 66 per cent of the public as a whole agree that “The UK needs to make much more progress on racial equality in the next 25 years.” Black respondents agreed with this latter statement most strongly, with 87 per cent feeling much more progress is needed.
Two-thirds (66 per cent) of the public and 70 per cent of people from an ethnic minority background believe that “we would make more progress in tackling racial inequality if we focused less on arguments about language and more on practical action”.
More than half the public (57 per cent) feel that “UK political and media debate has become more divisive on questions of race in the last 10 years”. Two-thirds (66 per cent) say they would welcome a less heated debate on race, as do 61 per cent of ethnic minority respondents.
Patrick Vernon, convener of the Windrush 75 network, said, “The Windrush is black history and it is British history, the story of how our society came to look as it does today and why we all have a stake in it. It is something that all of our children should learn about at school and something that all of us can celebrate.
“It is also history that we must take care not to lose as the Windrush generation sadly passes away. We should act now to capture and preserve their stories, engaging the next generation so they understand their heritage.”
Six in 10 people (61 per cent) feel that the 75th anniversary of Windrush is important for the country. That rises to 71 percent of ethnic minorities and 84 per cent of Black Caribbean Britons.
Three-quarters (74 per cent) of the public and 8 in 10 people (79 per cent) from an ethnic minority background think that children should learn about the Windrush and how post-war migration shaped today’s society. Teaching this history is most important to the Black Caribbean community, among whom 89 per cent said it was important.
Two-thirds of the public (65 per cent) and 7 in 10 ethnic minority Britons (71 per cent) would support setting a Windrush 100 goal of ‘net zero racism by 2048’. However only 28 per cent of the public think the UK could achieve it in 25 years. Ethnic minority Britons are more positive, however, with 45 per cent thinking the country can get there in a quarter-century.
Asked what policy areas should be a priority if the government were to set a ‘net zero by 2048‘ target, 47 per cent spoke for tougher rules on online hatred while people from an ethnic minority background preferred a focus on fair chances in employment, chosen by 51 per cent.
