What have been the attitudes of the main parties in Britain towards race relations and immigration?

During the 1950’s and the 1960’s racial tension was reaching an all time high in conjunction with the amount of immigrants entering the country. In 1958 race riots took place in which ethnic minorities were openly attacked and it was becoming a major concern as black people especially were being discriminated against. The problem was not simply confined to one aspect of society but also in employment, education and housing.

In 1968 the immigration of Asians from East Africa was reaching a peak. A leading conservative, Enoch Powell gave a speech in Birmingham were most of the immigrants were settled which impacted throughout Britain. His speech implied that the amount of immigrants being allowed into the country would cause ‘rivers of blood’ (referring to the violence) and this created a furious response.

Powell claimed he had much support and the right-wing press seized the opportunity to call for stricter controls o...