‘The Return of Assimilationism: Race, Multiculturalism and New Labour’

Abstract

This paper develops a critique of the politics of race and multiculturalism under New Labour. It argues that as a political formation New Labour is fraught with incommensurable impulses and commitment with regard to issues of multiculturalism, nationalism, racial justice and racism. While there have been palpable shifts and important new legislative initiatives, one of the consequences is that the project of assimilation has been reinvigorated under New Labour. This in turn leaves the normative whiteness that colonises British institutions and political life intact.

Understanding the contemporary race–migration nexus

“…This 'new assimilationism' (Back et al 2002) echoes the language of 'good race relations' of post-war Britain. Yet, there is a key difference: even if for post-war migrants equality was presented as conditional on their integration, by and large postcolonial migrants already held British citizenship.…”

“…An example of this is the Secure Borders, Safe Haven White Paper, 2002, which instigated a process of recasting contemporary debates on migration as issues of integration and citizenship, moving away from explicit naming of race and equality (Back et al 2002). In turn, integration has been made a precondition for acquiring British citizenship.…”

Secularism, Assimilation and the Crisis of Multiculturalism

“…Some policies that could stimulate the development of mixed identities are actively discouraged, such as, for example, special education in the mother tongue for young children. But even self-comprehension in terms of hybridity is actively discouraged in many contexts (Vasta 2007; for Britain, see Back et al 2002). This may impair people's choices to participate in several cultural surroundings and to blend them as they wish.…”

Introduction: Migrant Politics and Mobilization: Exclusion, Engagements, Incorporation

“…These new migrants are increasingly excluded and criminalized by the mounting neo-assimilationist and increasingly xenophobic public discourse and policy which are replacing those of recognition, accommodation and tolerance of cultural diversity typical of multiculturalism (Back et al 2002;Grillo 2005;Però 2008b). The condition of vulnerability, abuse, injustice and denial of recognition, rights and opportunities to secure a decent living for these new migrants pushed many of them, with the support of advocacy organizations, to campaign for regularizations (like the San-Papiers movement in France, the Sin-Papeles in Spain or the Strangers into Citizens campaign in the UK, among others), as well as other rights that are progressively being restricted, such as those around the entitlement to a free primary health care in the UK.…”