By targeting "multiculturalism", the British far right launches an attack on all of us

Have you heard? Multiculturalism has “failed” in Britain. At least that seems to be the latest line bigots are singing from the far-right hymn sheet. Whether it’s Suella Braverman claiming that “a misguided dogma of multiculturalism” threatens the “security of society” or Britain First stating that “multiculturalism has failed” because of clashes at a pro-Palestine protest, in blaming such a loosely-defined concept of cultural coexistence, far-right actors have broadened their targets. 

In recent years, this country has witnessed a steadily growing hatred towards immigrants, refugees, people of colour, Muslims, people from the LGBTQ+ community, environmentalists and even drag queens. This isn't just a feeling in the air; it is evidenced by the rapid increase in police-recorded racial, sexual orientation and transgender hate crimes over the past decade.

While many of us recognise that the targeting of different minorities has always been connected, the attackers and their apologists were careful to present each incident, each new choice of target as an isolated concern: we're not far-right, we're normal people who just happen to have this particular quibble with this particular woke idea. Now, attacking "multiculturalism” means hitting out at anyone who can't or won't conform to a white supremacist mythical view of the nation. Out with picking off minorities one by one; in with a unified assault on diversity and inclusion. See also: attacks on workplace DEI schemes across the pond.

It’s effective. Condemning “multiculturalism” creates opportunities for convenient alliances within the far right and even beyond it, to what now passes for mainstream – and to minorities that can be played off against each other. 

Time and time again, we’ve seen politicians like Trump, Farage and Le Pen gain support from minorities harbouring animosity towards other minorities, further fuelling an atmosphere of hatred and legitimising themselves in the process. It’s not uncommon to see racialised individuals speaking out against “illegal immigrants”, or members of the LGBTQ+ community protesting against transgender rights, for example. Though such incidents may seem illogical (surely, on some level, these folks must know that once used up, they too will be targeted), they illustrate how far-right actors exploit fears and tensions within communities to broaden their base. 

Negative narratives around multiculturalism, shrouded in their vagueness, are a perfect tool for othering groups and exacerbating division. Meanwhile, most of the country continues to be exploited by the rich and powerful – many of whom fund these same harmful ideas to flow from Tufton Street think tanks to right-wing media outlets, which, uncoincidentally, they also own.

This rhetoric isn’t new, but it’s gaining momentum. Right now, British Muslims are facing escalating online and in-person hate. Two weeks ago, an altercation between the police and local residents in the Harehills area of Leeds turned into a local riot. This elicited immediate reactions from far-right commentators and politicians, blaming Muslims, “third world” migrants and recently elected green councillor, Mothin Ali, for the events. “These animals need locking up for good,” said Lee Andreson, the Reform UK MP for Ashfield. 

This week, after a 17-year-old murdered three children and injured 10 people in Southport, online misinformation about the attacker’s identity has resulted in mobs descending on Hartlepool, Manchester and London. So far, 100 people have been arrested, while police officers have been met with missiles, glass bottles and eggs. In Hartlepool, a police car was set on fire and an Asian man was punched in the face. “We want our country back,” crowds of young men chanted. The Guardian reports that at leat 25 more far-right rallies have been planned for this weekend. 

Predictably, the right-wing talking heads who bemoaned the loss of law and order now make excuses for the rioters, presenting a traveling circus of swastika-tattooed street bruisers as “local people” airing concerns about immigration; meanwhile, local residents pick up the pieces.