Government policies and racial controversy: immigration and race relations 1958-79

rising tensiomns before the riots

• Areas with higher black settlement — St Ann’s (Nottingham), Toxteth (Liverpool), Handsworth (Birmingham), Brixton (London) — saw white flight as white residents moved out.

• By 1957, government feared segregation and that British cities might resemble US cities with poor black ghettos.

• Local integration efforts failed:

  • Trade unions complained immigrants took jobs by accepting lower wages.

  • Some working‑class Teddy Boy gangs intimidated black men.

  • Housing discrimination common: “No coloureds” signs; overcrowded, poor‑quality housing for black residents.

• Sensationalist newspaper stories about supposed crime or “cultural differences” increased tension

Teddy Boys

• Youth subculture named after Edwardian‑style clothing.

• Most were harmless, but some formed violent, racist gangs involved in attacks on black residents

Outbreak of the 1958 Riot

• Government reluctance to act + rising tensions → race riots in 1958.

• Nottingham (23 August 1958): around 1,000 white and black youths fought; several stabbings.

• Notting Hill (London):

  • Sparked by an attack on a white woman with a black partner.

  • Over nearly two weeks, hundreds of young white men armed with weapons attacked black residents, homes and businesses.

  • Slogans and chants expressed racist hostility.

  • More than 100 white men arrested, along with some black men who defended themselves.

• Riots received major national and international news coverage.

• Notting Hill Carnival was founded the following year to promote community harmony.

Impact on Migrants

• over 4,000 Caribbean migrants were so disillusioned that they returned to the Caribbean.

• Caribbean governments issued a joint complaint to Britain about prejudiced policing and poor housing conditions

Political Consequences

• Riots intensified calls for immigration controls.

• Many Conservative MPs argued integration was only possible if immigrant numbers were kept at current levels.

• By autumn 1961, the Conservative government introduced a bill to restrict immigration

Political Trends

• Both major parties (Conservative and Labour) tried to win votes by proposing tighter immigration controls.

• A minority of politicians “played the race card” — appealing to racist attitudes to gain political advantage.

• Some politicians began to promote multi‑culturalism, arguing Britain should recognise and support cultural diversity.

• Black rights groups emerged to challenge racism and push for legal protection

Government Actions, 1958–79

• A series of laws were introduced to restrict immigration.

• Alongside this, governments gradually passed laws to outlaw racial discrimination in areas such as housing, employment and public services.

• These two strands — restriction + anti‑discrimination — shaped British race relations policy throughout the period