Immigrants - They Keep Coming

Writer: Tony Snow

The term 'multicultural' only came into existence four decades ago, but multicultralism itself has been shaping Britain for centuries.

It has been particularly obvious over the past half century with the large-scale migration from the Caribbean and Indian subcontinent in the 50s and 60s and now with the passage of migrants from Eastern Europe and parts of the developing world. The subject is often politicised and serves as rich fodder for sensationalist headline writers – many of whom are, ironically, sons and daughters of migrants themselves.

People of Irish decent, for instance, have been the largest minority group in England for centuries, travelling backwards and forwards across the Irish Sea. In fact, a recent survey carried out by Guinness revealed that one in four Britons claims to have Irish background, despite the fact that many cannot identify a direct lineage. The most significant exodus followed the worst of a series of potato crop failures in the 1840s - the Great Famine. It is estimated that more than one million people died, and almost the same again emigrated. For many Irish people, the United States of America, Canada or Australia were the most viable destinations, with England simply a stepping-stone, albeit one that became permanent for many. However, a further wave of immigration to England also took place between the 1930s and 1960s, and it has continued intermittently thereafter.

Predating the arrival of the Irish were Jewish communities escaping the pogroms of continental Europe. Their presence in Britain dates from the Norman Conquest in 1066 and its aftermath. For the most part these early communities lived, quite prosperously and peacefully at first, in what were then the major cities - Bristol, Gloucester, Lincoln, London, Norwich, York and the like. But early Jewish settlers were required to pay heavy taxes for the right to stay in Britain, which over a few generations left many impoverished. This set a trend of resistance which other migrant groups would later face. Later, in the 12th century, the culture change engendered by the Crusades gave rise to a wave of violence against a people seen as alien because they were not Christian in their faith and Anglo-Saxon in their customs.

The term 'multicultural' only came into existence four decades ago, but multiculturalism itself has been shaping Britain for centuries.

The 'Rivers of Blood' as forecast by Enoch Powell in 1968 thankfully never materialised for the African Caribbean and Asian newcomers, but for Jewish Britons of the 12th and 13th century, they were a brutal reality. The most tragic incident occurred in 1190 in York, where most of the city's Jews were trapped in Clifford's Tower. They committed mass suicide to avoid capture. Persecution worsened under King Edward I. Under his reign, 600 Jews were imprisoned in the Tower of London and 270 of them were hanged. Finally in 1290 he ordered the expulsion of Jews. He then ordered the seizure of houses and goods of the 3,000 or so Jews left in England. In order to survive, Jews who escaped laid low and were forced to assimilate. Between 1290 and 1656 there was no openly Jewish community in England, although the Jewish religion continued to be practised by some individuals in secret.

It was not until Cromwell's time, that Jews were able once again to practise their religion openly, with their own synagogues and burial grounds. This opened the door to a slow but steady stream of Jewish migration - initially Sephardi Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin, and later Ashkenazi Jews of central European origin, from Germany, Russia and Poland.

Among Black and Asian communinities, migration dates back further than the last 60 years. There many historical references to black people coming to Britain of their own volition from the mid-16th century onwards – many to learn English in order to facilitate trade as interpreters. There are known to have been black musicians playing at the courts of King James IV of Scotland, Henry VII and Henry VIII. In fact in 1596, Queen Elizabeth I complained that there were “too many” black people in England and demanded a series of expulsions.

Indian migration also has a rich, colourful history. British rule over India resulted in the movement of Indians to all the countries of the Commonwealth - including Britain itself. In 1608, the first ship called on the west coast of India, at Surat, in the state of Gujarat. India was initially a source of cheap labour and Indians were used to fill the gap needed to run British-owned, labour-intensive industries. To this day, most of the Asians living in Gloucestershire originate this port city.

Most migrants to Britain have come to escape persecution in their own countries, to benefit from our economic and religious freedoms or at the invitation of the British government. Indeed the largest single immigration event in the 20th century, of the people from the Caribbean, was initiated by the government of the 1950's.

Resistance has followed each wave of migration, although thankfully in modern times vitriol has largely replaced bloodshed. There is no doubting that some communities were able to assimilate successfully - Jewish and Irish migrants have over time embedded themselves within British society - whilist retaining their cultural identity. Black and Asian migrants have not been able to ‘blend in’ so they have been far more forceful in asserting their culture. Over a relatively short period their presence has had a profound influence on almost every facet of British life - ranging from language to music, fashion to food.

Now, with a further wave of migration upon us from the former Soviet countries, history suggests that these latest new arrivals will also weave themselves into the rich tapestry of modern British society. And thanks in large part to those who have come before, it is hoped that they will be able to celebrate their cultural identity rather than suppress it.