The number mattered, but the argument was about whether a people can remain politically and culturally recognisable as its share declines. Yes won by more than two to one, and the chamber’s most-respected case framed the change as “rapid demographic change without consent” that risks “cohesion and identity”.
The winning side did not speak with one voice. Its strongest thoughtful qualification turned on “what becomes the dominant culture”, while others described the prospect as strange or “a bit of a shame”, said it was already happening, and called for sharply lower immigration or more births among existing residents.
The No case tried to move the question away from race and towards citizenship. Its most-respected voice said “British identity isn't defined by skin colour or ethnic headcounts”, while another stressed “shared democratic values, civic contributiom, and mutual respect”; a conditional No voter likewise argued that a “purely racial view” missed the cultural and social consequences of rapid change.
That was where the two sides talked past each other. No voters returned to integration, public services, religious freedom, secular law and the fact that skin colour does not define culture, with one dismissing the premise that “Only racists think that to be British is to be white”; Yes voters answered with claims about historic continuity, power, settlement and fears that newcomers would not accept the existing culture, some using the language of ethnic cleansing and even genocide.
The result places this small, self-selected online verdict inside the wider immigration argument, but its sharper finding is narrower: voters were more willing to treat demographic composition as a question of national identity than to leave it to civic values alone. The room’s answer was clear; its vocabulary was not.
17 Opinions
Yes. This is ethnic cleansing and it is a crime against humanity. We have always been opposed to mass immigration but we have been defied for decades and now whole swathes of this country are a frightening foreign land. It needs to be reversed and those who have done this to us held to account.
British identity is largely defined by skin colour and ethnic headcounts... it's not just built on shared democratic values, civic contributiom, and mutual respect. What matters for social cohesion is arbritrary demographic percentages, not foreigners who fail to integrate. Fair economic opportunities, and strong public services that bring communities together are impossible whilst we are flooded by millions of foreigners all desperately shoving their snouts into our trough
I put no. But it would depend on how it became a minority. If it was due to mass immigration forcing rapid changes in demographic then there isn’t only the element of racial elements but cultural and social differences to which does create massive issues. I only put no because the basis of the question only suggests a purely racial view which to me misses the main argument entirely.
I don't care about colour of skin, but I do care about shared culture, values and mutual respect. We have a rich history culture and traditions that I would not like to loose, but whiteness is the least of my concerns around this. I am more concerned about people integrating into our country, not imposing their own values on us, and about religious freedoms and secular law being preserved.
Unfortunately unless like reform suggest British start having more kids then it is already happening. Hard to stop,but banning any more migrants would be a start. And I mean any!!
Of course its a problem! South Africa Zimbabwe Kenya Uganda etc were all lead by white people they all quite rightly ensured those white people lost their power so reciprocally the same should happen here. The act of settlement must be kept in statute.
Yes, but only so far as it would depend on what becomes the dominant culture. Many non-white ethnicities integrate well and share the same core values and are happy to live with our laws. Different cultures is where the problem lies. Multi-ethnicity can work, multiculturalism becomes a problem where the dominant culture is not tolerant and completely at odds with other cultures, and where it seeks to eradicate other cultures. Government must remain secular.
Not a problem but it woukd feel a bit of a shame, like it feels when you knock down something old to build something new.
Planned genocide. White people are THE minority in World but in our own lands Leftists force ‘diversity’ with religious fervor. They never criticize lack of (zero) white ministers in say Nigeria or Pakistan but obsess that in UK a white country the community should for be policed by those reflecting the community. Why, its our laws traditions & customs & up to those who come as guests to fit in or leave. Home Office has 3500 foreigners determining immigration into UK. Madness
Only racists think that to be British is to be white. The UK has always been proudly diverse.