

Novara FM: How Enoch Powell Explains British Politics’ Rivers of Shit w/ Kojo Koram
May 29, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Kojo Koram, Reader in law at Birkbeck School of Law and author of 'Uncommon Wealth, Britain and the Aftermath of Empire,' delves into the legacy of Enoch Powell. He explores how Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech continues to influence modern British politics, particularly with Keir Starmer's recent remarks. Koram connects Powell’s rhetoric to contemporary debates surrounding immigration and nationalism, revealing the deep ties between neoliberalism and structural racism in today's society, while also reflecting on colonial violence's lingering impact.
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Powell and Britain's Post-Empire Identity
- Enoch Powell's rise was tied closely to the British Empire’s architecture.
- His politics reflect Britain's struggle to redefine itself after decolonization.
From Empire to Pure Nation State
- Powell shifted from imperial vision to pure nation state nostalgia.
- He rejected Joseph Chamberlain's imperial federation for a 'pure England'.
Powell's Intellectual Foundations
- Powell found intellectual kinship with libertarian economists opposing post-war social democracy.
- Friedrich Hayek's ideas shaped his critique of welfare and state planning.