The influence of immigration on British culture is an extremely apt topic at a time when British society is actively discussing the success or failure of multi-culturalism.  Immigration has for many years been a subject which has been discussed in hushed tones behind closed doors.  Part of British society believes that to have a broad-based society in which all religions, races and creeds are accepted as equals is what makes Britain great. 

There lingers, however, another part of society which believes that by accepting immigrants from around the world, Britain has somehow lost its “British” identity. Racial equality legislation has meant that discrimination against minorities is punishable by the forces of law and order.  While most right-thinking people applaud this freedom, there remain those who see it as constraining and unhelpful.

So what is this “British” identity which some fear they may be losing?  Firstly it is made up of English, Scottish, Welsh and (by latter invitation) certain Irish peoples. In ancient times, Britain has been invaded by the Celts, the Romans, the  Saxons, the Vikings, the Gauls.., so that long enough before Northern Ireland had been annexed to the United Kingdom it was difficult to define a purely British identity.

Think of historical references to residents of Britain.  You will find references, sometimes disparaging, to the red hair of the Celtic people, the tallness of the Norse invaders, the contrasting shortness of stature of the Gauls; quite a racial melting pot without the addition of modern-day immigration.

This ancient racial mix perhaps gave British people their fighting spirit and enabled a nation just a quarter the size of the state of California the strength to become a global power and command a sizeable overseas empire.  The invasion of the Romans, for example gave Britain a whole new strand of language, much of which remain to the present day.  They created straight roads, introduced innovative building techniques and generally enhanced life for the islands nation.

In modern times, immigration has continued to influence British culture. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, post-war Britain found it hard to recruit enough people into the transport, nursing and postal industries.  Advertisements were placed in West Indian countries, notably Jamaica and Barbados, encouraging immigration to fill jobs.  Between 1948 and 1970, nearly half a million people from the West Indies emigrated to the United Kingdom.

Their presence, at first greeted with considerable hostility by white Britons, gradually became accepted – as did their religious institutions, varying widely from the traditional Church of England Christian tradition, their music and their cuisine – all of which have influenced British society and culture in some way.

West Indian immigration was followed in later years by Asian immigration, notably from India and Pakistan, adding another dimension and creating more religious diversity with the appearance in Britain of mosques and Hindu temples.

It is impossible to walk through any main street in London or other major British city in the twenty first century without encountering fast food outlets for Chinese food (Hong Kong immigrant influence), Indian and Pakistani food, African and Carribean produce and clothing - the list grows as more and more overseas immigrants make their home in Britain.  Since Poland joined the European Union in 2004, many Polish communities have sprung up throughout Britain, bringing with them more cultural diversity.

It would be wrong to say that Britain is at ease with its multi-ethnic population.  There exists too much distrust and dislike of change for any transition to a real multi-cultural society to happen overnight.  But it is and always has been in the nature of Britain to act as a safe haven for those less fortunate or those who are oppressed in their homelands.  And the absorption of customs, foods, clothing etc from other cultures is something which takes place slowly in a kind of social metamorphosis.

People in today’s Britain list Chicken Tikka Masala (an Indian dish) as their favourite meal.  Some live in bungalows (from Bangla – a house built in Bengali style)

Our lives cannot help but be influenced by changes happening around us and although not all would agree, our British culture becomes enriched with every passing decade and the social and cultural changes that take place within these islands.