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Kavanagh et al: British Politics 5e

Chapter 29

The politics of immigration, asylum and ethnic diversity

The Commission for Racial Equality
www.cre.gov.uk/
Although it will eventually be subsumed in the new Commission for Equality and Rights the website of the Commission for Racial Equality remains an excellent source of information on ethnic minority groups in the UK and policies to prevent discrimination towards them. You can find briefings to Parliament, statements of good practice and other information on the site. Arguably the most useful section of the site however is the research section which has recently focused on survey materials about British identity and the representation of ethnic minorities in the media.

The Refugee Council
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/
As this chapter shows, questions regarding asylum-seekers are currently highly salient in British politics. The website of the Refugee Council will provide a perspective on the issue of asylum which is likely to be at odds with the portrayals of asylum seekers and refugees in much of the media and by many other actors within the British political system. There are the usual news and publications sections to be found on the site, but particularly interesting is the 'Myth Buster' section that you will find at the bottom of the homepage.

Migration Watch
www.migrationwatchuk.org/
Migration Watch is a think-tank devoted to the issue of migration which stands at odds with many other organisations in this policy area in that it takes a resolutely anti-immigration stance. In particular, controversy has surrounded its calculation of high numbers of immigrants in the UK. Indeed, some have claimed that the organisation has hidden xenophobic purposes. You can begin to make up you own mind by visiting the site which includes the usual combination of briefing material and press reports.

The Muslim Council of Britain
www.mcb.org.uk/
The Muslim Council of Britain is a coalition of organisations from within the Muslim community of Britain which seek to promote the interests of this community through engagement and consultation with the British government. On the website you will find further details of the history and structure of the organisation alongside information on its current campaigns and stances on issues of the moment.

Operation Black Vote
www.obv.org.uk/
Operation Black Vote is an organisation which was established in 1996 to overcome a perceived Black democratic deficit in the UK. Much of the energy of the organisation has become focused on encouraging Black citizens to register to vote and to demonstrate the collective impact which Black voters could enjoy in British general elections. On the website you will find further information about the organisation alongside archival material about its past campaigns.