The ghost of Powell remains

Sir, – The plight of the Windrush generation has put back into perspective not how far we think we have come when it comes to the issue of race relations, but how little we have actually progressed.

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, which famously led to the description of the Metropolitan Police as being “institutionally racist”.

Today, that allegation can be well and truly aimed at the UK Government, with the outcome of the Windrush debacle blowing any delusions of racial equality apart.

What we have been witnessing with UK governments, both Labour and Tory, is deeply concerning, latching on to the issue of immigration not for the benefits that it brings, but as being something to be “controlled”, akin to a disease.

The creation of a “hostile environment” by the then Home Secretary, Theresa May, didn’t just affect the 50,000 or so Windrush generation individuals, a number of whom have been deported already or threatened with deportation.

“Go Home” vans demonised not just illegal immigrants, but meant discrimination not just against foreigners, but specifically those of colour who were more easily identified.

Immigration was, under Prime Minister David Cameron, to be cut down to the tens of thousands, and the main political parties pandered to an antiimmigration agenda, very rarely if ever advocating the positive benefits brought to the UK by immigration.

This, of course, was further compounded by Brexit, where immigration was “weaponised” and deployed effectively by the Leave campaign.

We recently marked the 50th anniversary of Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech.

Thankfully none of his predictions of widespread civil disobedience came to pass and we live in a largely diverse and tolerant society.

However, the ghost of Powell is still alive and well, and indeed thriving, in the corridors of Whitehall.

Alex Orr. Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh.