Introduction

The motivation for writing this book was to rebalance the narrative about white working-class communities, multiculturalism and social change. As we have noted, the white working class have been reified as being either victims or aggressors as Britain transitioned into one of the most diverse societies in Europe during the post-1945 period. The evidence gleaned from fieldwork studies, secondary data and cultural representation shows a range of views. Yes, the white working class are sometimes victims and aggressors, as has been discussed, but they are also at the forefront of supporting immigrants and minority communities, as well as embracing multiculturalism. This latter story has been absent and has been drowned out by the welter of discussion and debate confirming the former stereotype. The need to consolidate a debate on reshaping white working-class identities as being both progressive and inclusive is challenging because of a certain path dependency in viewing these groups within a different framework.

Has conflict and antagonism taken place between the white working class, newly arrived immigrants and established minority communities? Selective incidents have been highlighted in the book, including the 1958 Notting Hill Riots and the 1968 ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech, and these have then been conflated to prove that Britain cannot become a cohesive multicultural society. Indeed, the prime minister professed in 2011 that multiculturalism had failed. Proponents who are fatalistic on immigration and multiculturalism tend to forget or ignore the commonalities between white working-class and minority communities, not only in terms of a common class position, but also because they occupy the same cities and neighbourhoods. They also engage in interactions with non-white groups, through personal and professional relationships.

Despite this, white working-class communities continue to be framed by their opposition to immigration and multiculturalism, which makes it difficult to gain a more considered view with a full and accurate depiction. Throughout this book, the intent has been to move away from a simplistic reductionism, where the white working class need not be given a vaulted status or demonised as being the source of societal problems. In a racialised society, it would be a false perspective to suggest that the white working class is devoid of racism. Recent studies have revealed commentary that is racist and this has to be challenged rather than rationalised.