Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Identity politics and the rise of ethnic conflict
#identity politics
#multiculturalism
#ethnic conflict
The government has chosen to use the umbrella phrase ‘far right’ to explain recent civil unrest. Indeed, the orthodox response from Stand Up to Racism supporters implies that increased hostility to different ethnicities is at the heart of social tensions. This, they argue, explains broader concerns, for example, about mass immigration. But how true are these assertions?
Some believe that a more full and frank national conversation about difficult topics, such as the impact of mass immigration or the long-standing failure to integrate certain ethnic and faith groups, would help diffuse racial animosities. After all, most British people, of all ethnicities, are concerned about Britain’s fraying social fabric and polling suggests that ethnic-minority Brits also want immigration to be reduced. Others point to the fact that class is rarely mentioned, despite the fact that what often unites identity communities is that they face similar social and economic challenges in dealing with crumbling public services, lack of housing or the cost of living.
Is such a debate feasible today, when diversity dogma often ring-fences identity politics or multiculturalism from any criticism or challenge, dismissing it as far right or racist? Conversely, can we untangle real reactionary racial thinking from what gets lumped in with catch-all claims of ‘abuse’? Is it possible to conceive of a civic conception of Britishness that can transcend divisive ethnic identities?
The speakers on this engaging panel are:
Charlie Peters - GB News national reporter
Dr Rakib Ehsan - author, Beyond Grievance: what the Left gets wrong about ethnic minorities
James Heartfield - lecturer and author
Khadija Khan - journalist and broadcaster; editor, A Further Inquiry; co-host, A Further Inquiry podcast
Kunle Olulode - director, Voice4Change England; author, A New Era of Trust: Trust, politics, race and civil society; co-opted commissioner, Commission of Race and Ethnic Disparities
The Chair is:
Ella Whelan -co-convenor, Battle of Ideas festival; journalist; author, What Women Want
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by hitting the thanks button below. Thank You
Identity politics and the rise of ethnic conflict
#identity politics
#multiculturalism
#ethnic conflict
The government has chosen to use the umbrella phrase ‘far right’ to explain recent civil unrest. Indeed, the orthodox response from Stand Up to Racism supporters implies that increased hostility to different ethnicities is at the heart of social tensions. This, they argue, explains broader concerns, for example, about mass immigration. But how true are these assertions?
Some believe that a more full and frank national conversation about difficult topics, such as the impact of mass immigration or the long-standing failure to integrate certain ethnic and faith groups, would help diffuse racial animosities. After all, most British people, of all ethnicities, are concerned about Britain’s fraying social fabric and polling suggests that ethnic-minority Brits also want immigration to be reduced. Others point to the fact that class is rarely mentioned, despite the fact that what often unites identity communities is that they face similar social and economic challenges in dealing with crumbling public services, lack of housing or the cost of living.
Is such a debate feasible today, when diversity dogma often ring-fences identity politics or multiculturalism from any criticism or challenge, dismissing it as far right or racist? Conversely, can we untangle real reactionary racial thinking from what gets lumped in with catch-all claims of ‘abuse’? Is it possible to conceive of a civic conception of Britishness that can transcend divisive ethnic identities?
The speakers on this engaging panel are:
Charlie Peters - GB News national reporter
Dr Rakib Ehsan - author, Beyond Grievance: what the Left gets wrong about ethnic minorities
James Heartfield - lecturer and author
Khadija Khan - journalist and broadcaster; editor, A Further Inquiry; co-host, A Further Inquiry podcast
Kunle Olulode - director, Voice4Change England; author, A New Era of Trust: Trust, politics, race and civil society; co-opted commissioner, Commission of Race and Ethnic Disparities
The Chair is:
Ella Whelan -co-convenor, Battle of Ideas festival; journalist; author, What Women Want
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by hitting the thanks button below. Thank You
