Today in Focus How far-right rhetoric on migration went mainstream
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Aug 19, 2025 Maya Goodfellow, a writer and academic renowned for her work on immigration issues, discusses the concerning shift of far-right language into mainstream UK politics. She highlights how politicians have used inflammatory rhetoric that fuels anti-immigrant sentiment. Goodfellow critiques the normalization of harmful narratives, especially how misconceptions around asylum seekers are manipulated to stoke fear. She emphasizes the urgent need for compassion and informed discourse to counteract societal paranoia and protect the rights of migrants.
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High-Profile Mistaken Identity Incidents
- Multiple public incidents show migrants being misidentified and racially abused, from scout groups to charity rowers.
- Politicians and the public have loudly reacted to these mistaken identifications, fueling hostile responses.
Protests And Amplification By Public Figures
- Anti-migrant protests target asylum hotels and create a fearful public mood that affects both locals and asylum seekers.
- The protests and disinformation are amplified by high-profile figures like Nigel Farage, increasing tension and danger.
Criminality Narrative Fuels Racialised Fear
- Media and online narratives link asylum seekers to criminality and sexual violence without evidence.
- This racialised framing falsely portrays asylum seekers as a distinct, dangerous group and heightens public fear.
