In this third part in the Conversation's series on how the UK has changed in the past 25 years, the focus turns to demographics, immigration, social attitudes and LGBTQ+ lives.

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Social attitudes

Michael Skey, senior lecturer in communication and media studies, Loughborough University

Immigration has risen to the top of political and media agendas over the last 25 years. It has underpinned some of the most momentous shifts the country has seen, most notably Brexit and then the subsequent reshaping of the political landscape in favour of the populist right.

Polling data shows that concerns about immigration tend to rise and fall in response to certain issues – national elections, EU enlargement, Brexit. But also noteworthy is the changing nature of migration as a perceived problem and the identity of those who articulate such fears.

Twenty-five years ago, fears about migration were shaped by neo-Powellite fears about the “swamping” of (white) British culture. But the terms of the debate were changed somewhat by EU expansion, as migrants from eastern Europe got categorised as a novel threat for taking jobs, undercutting wages and changing the landscape of local towns.

Post Brexit, the “small boats” phenomenon has become a huge talking point. Fuelled by the right-wing press and social media networks, it far outweighs the actual numbers of people entering the country in this way, which is below 50,000 a year.

When it comes to who is concerned about immigration, the subject has long been a key concern for those who are older, less educated, more likely to identify as English, and – in many cases – live in areas with relatively little experience of immigration.

Continues…

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