Mass Migration Has Fundamentally Altered Britain

David Starkey explains in Controversial Interview

In a wide-ranging and provocative interview, renowned historian David Starkey has offered a stark assessment of the impact of mass migration on British society, arguing that it has irrevocably changed the country he once knew. Starkey, known for his outspoken views and expertise in Tudor history, delved into a range of contentious issues surrounding immigration, multiculturalism, and national identity in modern Britain.

Recent Unrest and the Spectre of Civil Conflict

Addressing the recent protests and riots that have rocked various parts of the UK, Starkey dismissed tech mogul Elon Musk’s prediction of an inevitable civil war. However, he painted a concerning picture of Britain’s future, forecasting “sustained interethnic conflict” and escalating clashes between various ethnic and religious groups. The historian suggested that while full-scale civil war might not be on the horizon, the country faces a period of significant social turbulence.

“What we’re going to see is increasing clashes between ethnic groups,” Starkey warned. “Hindu and Pakistani, Hindu Muslim, and I’m afraid between whites and everybody else.” This grim prediction underscores Starkey’s belief that Britain’s social fabric is under severe strain due to rapid demographic changes and what he perceives as failed integration policies.

The Silencing of Debate

Starkey levelled sharp criticism at what he describes as a longstanding policy of “enforced silence” on issues of immigration and integration. He traced this approach back to the aftermath of Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech in 1968, arguing that while Powell’s language may have been “overblown”, the points he raised have proven prescient.

“There’s been a deliberate attempt ever since Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech… to shut people up,” Starkey contended. He argued that this suppression of open debate has allowed societal tensions to fester, likening it to “a sore in the body” or “an untreated wound” that deepens and becomes “more and more septic until finally it bursts horribly to the surface”.

This metaphor reflects Starkey’s belief that by avoiding frank discussions about immigration and its impacts, British society has allowed problems to accumulate unchecked, leading to the current state of unrest and division.

A Lost Britain?

Reflecting on his youth, Starkey painted a nostalgic picture of the Britain he grew up in, describing it as “the most peaceful, the most gentle homogeneous society that has ever existed”. He spoke of a time characterised by high levels of public trust, low crime rates, and a sense of shared national identity.

“We did not need identity cards,” Starkey reminisced. “There were extraordinarily low levels of crime, such high levels of public trust.” This idyllic portrayal serves as a stark contrast to his view of contemporary Britain, which he sees as fragmented and riven with tension.

Starkey contended that this society has been “deliberately destroyed” by Tony Blair and New Labour’s policies on multiculturalism and mass immigration. He accused Blair’s government of having “an absurd notion that they were going to force us to become multiethnic for our good” and of deliberately trying to “rub the noses of the whites in the dirt”.

The Scale of Change

The historian expressed particular concern about the scale of immigration to the UK since 1997, describing it as “unique throughout our history” in terms of numbers. “The scale of millions since 1997, it’s not simply unique in modern times, it’s unique throughout our history,” Starkey asserted. He argued that even the great population movements of the Roman period and the so-called Barbarian invasions pale in comparison to the demographic changes Britain has experienced in recent decades.

Starkey contended that this unprecedented influx, coupled with what he sees as a suppression of debate, has exacerbated societal tensions and led to the current state of unrest. He criticised the way in which this demographic shift has been managed, arguing that it has been done “without consent” and “with a deliberate suppression of debate about it”.

Political Failings

Starkey was scathing in his criticism of both major political parties, accusing Labour of abandoning its traditional white working-class base and the Conservatives of failing to address the consequences of mass immigration. He argued that the Labour Party has “ceased to be the party of the working class” and instead become “the party of the rampantly powerful, entitled public sector”.

The historian was particularly critical of Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour leadership, describing the new Prime Minister as “wooden” and “dull” compared to Tony Blair. He accused Starmer of immediately resorting to “the iron fist” and the “language of the policeman”, contrasting this with Blair’s ability to empathise with and appeal to a broad spectrum of voters.

Regarding the Conservative Party, Starkey lamented its failure to alter what he called the “dreadful constitutional changes” implemented by Labour, which he believes have embedded problematic attitudes towards borders, human rights, and national identity.

A Call for Integration

Starkey called for a reaffirmation of British values and institutions, arguing that all immigrant groups should be required to embrace these unconditionally. He advocated for a return to what he sees as the essence of Englishness: “the commitment to the institutions of the free, responsible, liberal parliamentary state”.

“We cannot have groups saying we are different, we are going to remain isolated, we do not approve of you,” Starkey insisted. He argued for stricter immigration policies, including ending citizenship rights for arranged marriages and outlawing cousin marriages, which he claims perpetuate cultural isolation.

The Need for Open Debate

Throughout the interview, Starkey emphasised the need for open and honest debate on these issues. He criticised what he perceives as an overuse of terms like “racist” and “far-right” to shut down discussion, arguing that this approach has contributed to the current state of societal tension.

“The term racist has become absurd,” Starkey contended. He argued that his critiques were not aimed at immigrants themselves, many of whom he praised for making “remarkable contributions” to British society. Instead, he focused on what he sees as failed policies and the suppression of necessary debates.

Historical Parallels and Future Challenges

Looking to the future, Starkey drew parallels with past periods of social change in British history, such as the reforms of the 19th century. He argued that Britain now faces the challenge of repeating that process of reintegration and incorporation for new immigrant communities.

“We’ve got to try to revive that conservative notion, that notion that the way we always did things, the thing that enabled England uniquely, Britain uniquely of any European country in the 19th century, to modernise and to incorporate all these different social groups without vast unrest and revolution,” Starkey said.

He warned that failure to achieve this reintegration could lead to further social unrest and potentially open the door to extremist politics on both the right and left. Starkey called for a return to what he sees as traditional British values of free speech, parliamentary democracy, and gradual, considered reform.

Conclusion

Starkey’s comments are likely to provoke intense debate and controversy, touching on sensitive issues of national identity, immigration, and multiculturalism in modern Britain. While his views will undoubtedly be challenged by many, they reflect ongoing tensions and debates within British society about the nature of integration, the pace of demographic change, and the future of national identity in an increasingly diverse country.

As Britain continues to grapple with these complex issues, Starkey’s interview serves as a reminder of the deep divisions and passionate debates that surround questions of immigration and national identity in the 21st century. Whether one agrees with his assessment or not, it is clear that these issues will remain at the forefront of British political and social discourse for years to come.