World Immigration News

Emigration, not immigration built the modern world

Release Date: 2025-06-28
Media: The Critic
Summary: This article critiques Keir Starmer’s claim that the Windrush generation “laid the foundations for modern Britain.” The author argues that while the Windrush generation made important contributions to postwar British society, asserting they were foundational overlooks the country's long-established institutions, such as Parliament, the NHS, and global financial systems, which predated their arrival in 1948.

The piece contrasts the symbolic elevation of the Windrush story with the largely forgotten history of British emigration. From the 17th to the 20th century, millions of Britons emigrated and built infrastructure, cities, and institutions across the Anglosphere — shaping countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These emigrants established British-style legal, political, and economic systems abroad, yet their efforts are rarely acknowledged in modern British discourse.

The article argues that this historical imbalance stems from a desire to present a simplified, redemptive narrative — one that emphasizes immigration as the moral rebirth of Britain while avoiding the complexities of empire and expansion. It concludes by urging a more balanced view of Britain’s migration history: recognizing both immigration and emigration as vital parts of the national story.
Tags: United Kingdom

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