Crises and Contradictions: Migration Policies in Post-1960s Britain

This paper will expose the predominantly neglected link between political and economic crises and migration, integration and diversity policies in post-1960s Britain. Through focusing on a collection of different crises, including the 1972 Ugandan Asian Crisis, the oil crisis and the on-going austerity crisis, it will reveal the manner in which policies implemented during such crisis contexts have often been inconsistent. Firstly, despite the fact that Britain tends to be perceived as being a highly centralised unitary state, these contradictions have manifested themselves between policies pursued by national- and local-level governments. Indeed, it has often been at times of political and economic crisis that local authorities have questioned and drifted away from national mandate. Secondly, crises have frequently led to the development of contradictions in political measures concerning different areas and sectors, including employment, housing, education and integration. Overall, this paper’s historical perspective provides an in-depth, informed and holistic account of the extent to which periods of crisis influence and shape both the migration policy negotiation process and the policies that are subsequently put into practice. In reflecting on both past lessons and contemporary concerns, it sheds light on a relationship that has been largely previously unexplored in academic debate and makes a series of pertinent policy suggestions.