UK government faces battle with anti-immigration sentiment stoked by previous government's rhetoric
Anti-immigrant sentiment has arguably been bubbling under the surface of the UK for many years. It prompted millions to vote for Brexit and led the Conservative government to propose plans to fly immigrants to migrant camps in Rwanda.
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00:00What started these right-wing protests? Misinformation surrounding the murder of three young girls.
00:08I won't shy away from calling it what it is. Far-right thuggery.
00:14Last night in towns and cities across the UK, though, thousands of anti-fascist protesters outnumbered right-wing groups.
00:24But the anti-immigrant sentiment has arguably been bubbling under the surface for many years.
00:30It led the Conservative government to propose plans to fly immigrants to migrant camps in Rwanda and to put them in barges like this one off the coast.
00:40The Labour government has now scrapped these policies, calling them gimmicks and a waste of taxpayer money.
00:47For now, at least, those inside Number 10 will be extremely relieved that anti-fascist protests have helped quell recent racist unrest.
00:55But the new government now has to pick up the pieces after years of Conservative anti-immigration rhetoric and failed policies, which ultimately heightened tensions.
01:06All eyes will now be on the Prime Minister and how he chooses to navigate this political tightrope.
01:12There is a difference between responsible politicians and irresponsible politicians.
01:16Dr Nigel Fletcher is a former adviser to Prime Minister David Cameron and believes Labour must now do what the Conservatives couldn't and take meaningful action around migration.
01:27Labour not only have to solve it, but also solve it in a way that is markedly and demonstrably different in tone and substance to how the Conservative government were seeking to respond to it.
01:40Because if they continue with some of the rhetoric and some of the hardline policies that the previous government has, they will alienate parts of their own party.
01:51The UK government has recently announced plans for a new border security command to tackle human smuggling gangs.
01:59This reflects the broader European struggle with migration.
02:03As the political landscape evolves, the challenge is to implement effective, humane policies that appease both sides of the political spectrum.
02:12Luke Hanrahan, Euronews, London.