There is common ground on the issue of immigration between Leave and Remain voters who disagreed on the referendum question, finds this report from British Future, ‘Disbanding the tribes: what the referendum told us about Britain (and what it didn’t)‘.
Most share nuanced views on the pressures and gains that immigration brings to Britain and a desire for a system that can be trusted to work – and will both need to be involved in the debates to come on how we manage immigration.
Three quarters (74%) of the public, including 84% of Leave voters and 69% of those who voted for Remain, agree that “Immigration brings pressures as well as gains and our decision to Leave the EU gives us a chance to change the system. What we need now is a sensible policy to manage immigration so we control who comes here but still keep the immigration that’s good for our economy and society, and maintains our tradition of offering sanctuary to refugees who need our protection”.
Those on the losing side, the report argues, need to work through the grieving process to its final phase – acceptance – and become a strong voice in the debates we must now have about the kind of Britain we want to be after Brexit.
We need to disband the referendum’s 48% and 52% tribes and move on.
The Government, too, will need to engage both sides of the referendum debate and involve the public more in the decisions we make on immigration.
The report draws on new ICM polling for British Future conducted immediately after the referendum.
It finds that there is more in common between the two referendum tribes than we think – which is why they must now be disbanded as we seek constructive solutions to the challenges of making Brexit work for all of us.
"We honour the past fully when all of those who contributed and served can be fully recognised. We bring this society together when everybody is invited to participate." @sundersays for @easterneye on why inclusive remembrance matters now more than ever [1/2]
New net migration figures are published by ONS this month (27 Nov). Join our lunchtime webinar that afternoon for expert analysis of what the figures mean for the politics and policy of immigration - with @alanmanning4 @MarleyAMorris + our team [1/2]
"To let people get stuck in jobs that don’t use their potential is a waste — not just for them, but for the economy as a whole." Good piece from @sarahoconnor_ on migrants' progression at work, quoting our @Heather_Rolfe
via @FT
Why the job ladder matters for migrants
Obstacles in progressing are important both for people and for the economy
www.ft.com
We’re delighted to be shortlisted for @SmartThinktank’s inaugural Think Tank of the Year Award 2025!
Proud to be recognised for our research, impact and contribution to the UK policy debate.
#SmartThinkingAwards #ThinkTankOfTheYear
Our @sundersays is on the @BBCRadio4 Today Debate with Amol Rajan tonight at 8pm, discussing “Has the UK given up on freedom of speech?”
Our @sundersays column for @easterneye this week on the Gaza peace deal, efforts to bolster UK community relations after the Manchester attack, and book-burning free speech advocates {1/2]
How can we help make workplaces fair and inclusive? At Labour & Conservative conferences, British Future (with @kpmguk) brought together politicians, business leaders & experts to explore how to unlock opportunity for all. Read more below [1/2]
Moment of reflection planned one week on from Manchester synagogue attack
Moment of reflection planned one week on from Manchester synagogue attack
Communities across the UK are being encouraged to hold vigils, light candles, or have moments of silence.
www.independent.co.uk
"Are you representing an organisation here?", I asked a Muslim attendee. “I’m here as a Mancunian mate,’ he replied. “That’s what I’m representing.”
Our Avaes Mohammad's reflections from Friday's vigil in Manchester following the appalling Synagogue attack. [1/2]
The new 'Pride in Place' programme "fires the starting gun in Labour’s race to address the sense of national decline fuelling polarisation & populism," writes our @jakepuddle – but ministers should be wary of presenting it as a silver bullet to heal divides. [1/2]
