The rightwing counter-revolution is gaining ground – and Labour’s softly-softly approach won’t stop it | Andy Beckett

Multiculturalism and hard-won equalities are being attacked on all fronts. Labour should look to London’s leaders, past and present, for how to stand against the tide

Not for the first time, the UK is in the grip of a backlash against equality and diversity. Already disadvantaged parts of the population are having the existence of that disadvantage denied – and the limited legal redress for it, which has been won over decades, such as the 2010 Equality Act, threatened with repeal. Two of the largest political parties, much of the media, street protesters, online activists, opportunistic rioters and organised fascists are all working to erase aspects of British multiculturalism, by lawful means and otherwise. In the decade since the Brexit referendum – which awoke semi-dormant forces of social conservatism and nationalism – this reactionary campaign has gained more and more momentum.

Its targets have widened and solidified: from “wokeness”, multiracial cities, diversity, and equity and inclusion policies to immigrant cultures of all kinds, so-called two-tier policing and the general conduct of local and central government. “Britain is a two-tier state – against white people,” claimed Nigel Farage in a sweeping Reform UK policy statement on Sunday. “Anti-whiteness is institutionalised into every aspect of public life.” His party, still consistently ahead in the polls, promises to work relentlessly against this supposed injustice when it takes office, copying the confrontational and divisive tactics of Donald Trump.

Andy Beckett is a Guardian columnist

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