Smoking guns and magic bullets: The 'race card' debate revisited in 1997

Immigrants and Minorities

Volumn 17, Issue 3, 1998, Pages 1-21

  Saggar, Shamit ^a  

^a QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY; RACISM; VOTING BEHAVIOR;

UNITED KINGDOM;

EID: 0032311102     PISSN: 02619288     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/02619288.1998.9974948     Document Type: Article

References (50)

1. See, for example: Donley Studlar, 'Policy Voting in Britain: The Coloured Immigration Issue in the 1964, 1966 and 1970 General Elections', American Political Science Review, Vol.72 (1978), pp.46-72; William Miller, 'What was the profit of following the crowd? Aspects of Conservative and Labour strategy since 1970', British Journal of Political Science, Vol.10, (1980), pp.15-38; Ivor Crewe and Bo Sarlvik, 'Popular Attitudes and Election Strategy', in Zig Layton-Henry (ed.), Conservative Party Politics (London, 1980), pp.244-75; Zig Layton-Henry, 'Race and the Thatcher Government', in Zig Layton-Henry and Paul Rich (eds.), Race, Government and Politics in Britain (London, 1986), pp.13-99; Anthony Messina, Race and Party Competition on Britain (Oxford, 1989), esp. Ch.7: 'The Repoliticisation of Race'; and Andrew Geddes, The Politics of Immigration and Race (Manchester, 1996).
2. See, for example: Donley Studlar, 'Policy Voting in Britain: The Coloured Immigration Issue in the 1964, 1966 and 1970 General Elections', American Political Science Review, Vol.72 (1978), pp.46-72; William Miller, 'What was the profit of following the crowd? Aspects of Conservative and Labour strategy since 1970', British Journal of Political Science, Vol.10, (1980), pp.15-38; Ivor Crewe and Bo Sarlvik, 'Popular Attitudes and Election Strategy', in Zig Layton-Henry (ed.), Conservative Party Politics (London, 1980), pp.244-75; Zig Layton-Henry, 'Race and the Thatcher Government', in Zig Layton-Henry and Paul Rich (eds.), Race, Government and Politics in Britain (London, 1986), pp.13-99; Anthony Messina, Race and Party Competition on Britain (Oxford, 1989), esp. Ch.7: 'The Repoliticisation of Race'; and Andrew Geddes, The Politics of Immigration and Race (Manchester, 1996).
3. See, for example: Donley Studlar, 'Policy Voting in Britain: The Coloured Immigration Issue in the 1964, 1966 and 1970 General Elections', American Political Science Review, Vol.72 (1978), pp.46-72; William Miller, 'What was the profit of following the crowd? Aspects of Conservative and Labour strategy since 1970', British Journal of Political Science, Vol.10, (1980), pp.15-38; Ivor Crewe and Bo Sarlvik, 'Popular Attitudes and Election Strategy', in Zig Layton-Henry (ed.), Conservative Party Politics (London, 1980), pp.244-75; Zig Layton-Henry, 'Race and the Thatcher Government', in Zig Layton-Henry and Paul Rich (eds.), Race, Government and Politics in Britain (London, 1986), pp.13-99; Anthony Messina, Race and Party Competition on Britain (Oxford, 1989), esp. Ch.7: 'The Repoliticisation of Race'; and Andrew Geddes, The Politics of Immigration and Race (Manchester, 1996).
4. See, for example: Donley Studlar, 'Policy Voting in Britain: The Coloured Immigration Issue in the 1964, 1966 and 1970 General Elections', American Political Science Review, Vol.72 (1978), pp.46-72; William Miller, 'What was the profit of following the crowd? Aspects of Conservative and Labour strategy since 1970', British Journal of Political Science, Vol.10, (1980), pp.15-38; Ivor Crewe and Bo Sarlvik, 'Popular Attitudes and Election Strategy', in Zig Layton-Henry (ed.), Conservative Party Politics (London, 1980), pp.244-75; Zig Layton-Henry, 'Race and the Thatcher Government', in Zig Layton-Henry and Paul Rich (eds.), Race, Government and Politics in Britain (London, 1986), pp.13-99; Anthony Messina, Race and Party Competition on Britain (Oxford, 1989), esp. Ch.7: 'The Repoliticisation of Race'; and Andrew Geddes, The Politics of Immigration and Race (Manchester, 1996).
5. See, for example: Donley Studlar, 'Policy Voting in Britain: The Coloured Immigration Issue in the 1964, 1966 and 1970 General Elections', American Political Science Review, Vol.72 (1978), pp.46-72; William Miller, 'What was the profit of following the crowd? Aspects of Conservative and Labour strategy since 1970', British Journal of Political Science, Vol.10, (1980), pp.15-38; Ivor Crewe and Bo Sarlvik, 'Popular Attitudes and Election Strategy', in Zig Layton-Henry (ed.), Conservative Party Politics (London, 1980), pp.244-75; Zig Layton-Henry, 'Race and the Thatcher Government', in Zig Layton-Henry and Paul Rich (eds.), Race, Government and Politics in Britain (London, 1986), pp.13-99; Anthony Messina, Race and Party Competition on Britain (Oxford, 1989), esp. Ch.7: 'The Repoliticisation of Race'; and Andrew Geddes, The Politics of Immigration and Race (Manchester, 1996).
6. See, for example: Donley Studlar, 'Policy Voting in Britain: The Coloured Immigration Issue in the 1964, 1966 and 1970 General Elections', American Political Science Review, Vol.72 (1978), pp.46-72; William Miller, 'What was the profit of following the crowd? Aspects of Conservative and Labour strategy since 1970', British Journal of Political Science, Vol.10, (1980), pp.15-38; Ivor Crewe and Bo Sarlvik, 'Popular Attitudes and Election Strategy', in Zig Layton-Henry (ed.), Conservative Party Politics (London, 1980), pp.244-75; Zig Layton-Henry, 'Race and the Thatcher Government', in Zig Layton-Henry and Paul Rich (eds.), Race, Government and Politics in Britain (London, 1986), pp.13-99; Anthony Messina, Race and Party Competition on Britain (Oxford, 1989), esp. Ch.7: 'The Repoliticisation of Race'; and Andrew Geddes, The Politics of Immigration and Race (Manchester, 1996).
7. For a cross-section of the varying literature in which this argument is discussed see: Michel Wieviorka, 'Tendencies to Racism in Europe: Does France Represent a Unique Case or is it Representative of a Trend?, in John Wrench and John Solomos (eds.), Racism and Migration in Western Europe (Oxford, 1993), pp.55-65; Czarina Wilpert, 'Migration and Ethnicity in a Non-immigration Country: Foreigners in a United Germany', New Community, Vol.18 (1991), pp.49-62; Christopher Husbands, 'The Dynamics of Racial Exclusion and Exulsion: Racist Politics in Western Europe', European Journal of Political Research, Vol.16 (1988), pp.101-20; Manning Marable, Beyond Black and White (London, 1995), esp. Ch.2 'Race and Realignment in American Politics'; and James Jupp and M. Kabala (eds.), The Politics of Australian Immigration (Canberra, 1992).
8. For a cross-section of the varying literature in which this argument is discussed see: Michel Wieviorka, 'Tendencies to Racism in Europe: Does France Represent a Unique Case or is it Representative of a Trend?, in John Wrench and John Solomos (eds.), Racism and Migration in Western Europe (Oxford, 1993), pp.55-65; Czarina Wilpert, 'Migration and Ethnicity in a Non-immigration Country: Foreigners in a United Germany', New Community, Vol.18 (1991), pp.49-62; Christopher Husbands, 'The Dynamics of Racial Exclusion and Exulsion: Racist Politics in Western Europe', European Journal of Political Research, Vol.16 (1988), pp.101-20; Manning Marable, Beyond Black and White (London, 1995), esp. Ch.2 'Race and Realignment in American Politics'; and James Jupp and M. Kabala (eds.), The Politics of Australian Immigration (Canberra, 1992).
9. For a cross-section of the varying literature in which this argument is discussed see: Michel Wieviorka, 'Tendencies to Racism in Europe: Does France Represent a Unique Case or is it Representative of a Trend?, in John Wrench and John Solomos (eds.), Racism and Migration in Western Europe (Oxford, 1993), pp.55-65; Czarina Wilpert, 'Migration and Ethnicity in a Non-immigration Country: Foreigners in a United Germany', New Community, Vol.18 (1991), pp.49-62; Christopher Husbands, 'The Dynamics of Racial Exclusion and Exulsion: Racist Politics in Western Europe', European Journal of Political Research, Vol.16 (1988), pp.101-20; Manning Marable, Beyond Black and White (London, 1995), esp. Ch.2 'Race and Realignment in American Politics'; and James Jupp and M. Kabala (eds.), The Politics of Australian Immigration (Canberra, 1992).
10. For a cross-section of the varying literature in which this argument is discussed see: Michel Wieviorka, 'Tendencies to Racism in Europe: Does France Represent a Unique Case or is it Representative of a Trend?, in John Wrench and John Solomos (eds.), Racism and Migration in Western Europe (Oxford, 1993), pp.55-65; Czarina Wilpert, 'Migration and Ethnicity in a Non-immigration Country: Foreigners in a United Germany', New Community, Vol.18 (1991), pp.49-62; Christopher Husbands, 'The Dynamics of Racial Exclusion and Exulsion: Racist Politics in Western Europe', European Journal of Political Research, Vol.16 (1988), pp.101-20; Manning Marable, Beyond Black and White (London, 1995), esp. Ch.2 'Race and Realignment in American Politics'; and James Jupp and M. Kabala (eds.), The Politics of Australian Immigration (Canberra, 1992).
11. For a cross-section of the varying literature in which this argument is discussed see: Michel Wieviorka, 'Tendencies to Racism in Europe: Does France Represent a Unique Case or is it Representative of a Trend?, in John Wrench and John Solomos (eds.), Racism and Migration in Western Europe (Oxford, 1993), pp.55-65; Czarina Wilpert, 'Migration and Ethnicity in a Non-immigration Country: Foreigners in a United Germany', New Community, Vol.18 (1991), pp.49-62; Christopher Husbands, 'The Dynamics of Racial Exclusion and Exulsion: Racist Politics in Western Europe', European Journal of Political Research, Vol.16 (1988), pp.101-20; Manning Marable, Beyond Black and White (London, 1995), esp. Ch.2 'Race and Realignment in American Politics'; and James Jupp and M. Kabala (eds.), The Politics of Australian Immigration (Canberra, 1992).
12. Robert Jessop et al., Thatcherism: A Tale of Two Nations (Cambridge, 1988).
13. For a refutation of this claim see: Shamit Saggar, 'Can Political Parties Play the "Race Card" in General Elections? The 1992 Poll Revisited', New Community, Vol.19 (1993), pp.693-9. A demonstration of the thesis in 1992 can be found in: Michael Billig and Peter Golding, 'Did the Race Card Tip the Balance?', New Community, Vol.19 (1992), pp.161-63.
14. For a refutation of this claim see: Shamit Saggar, 'Can Political Parties Play the "Race Card" in General Elections? The 1992 Poll Revisited', New Community, Vol.19 (1993), pp.693-9. A demonstration of the thesis in 1992 can be found in: Michael Billig and Peter Golding, 'Did the Race Card Tip the Balance?', New Community, Vol.19 (1992), pp.161-63.
15. Nicholas Deakin, Colour and British Electorate (London, 1965).
16. Messina, op. cit.
17. The Conservative Opposition agreed officially not to oppose the 1976 Bill, though a small handful of backbenchers defied the party line and voted against its second reading.
18. Paul Rich, 'Ethnic Politics in the Post-Thatcher Conservative Party', in Shamit Saggar (ed.), Race and British Electoral Politics (London, 1997), pp.96-116.
19. Shamit Saggar, 'Immigration and Economics: The Politics of Race and Immigration in the Post-War Period', in Helen Fawcett and Robin Lowe (eds.), The Road from 1945 (London: 1996) [forthcoming].
20. R. Crossman, Diaries of a Cabinet Minister, Vol.2 (London, 1977), p.679.
21. Ivor Crewe, 'Representation and Ethnic Minorities in Britain', in Nathan Glazer and Ken Young (eds.), Ethnic Pluralism and Public Policy (London, 1983).
22. Shamit Saggar, 'Black Participation and the Transformation of the Race Issue in British Politics', New Community, Vol.20 (1993), pp.27-41.
23. Ivor Crewe, 'The Disturbing Truth Behind Labour's Rout', The Guardian, 13 June 1983.
24. John Rex, 'The Race Relations Catastrophe', in T. Burgess (ed.), Matter of Principle: Labour's Last Chance (Harmondsworth, 1968), pp.142-65.
25. Zig Layton-Henry, The Politics of Immigration (Oxford, 1992) p.53.
26. Messina, op. cit., p.43.
27. David Butler and Donald Stokes, Political Change in Britain, 2nd edn (London, 1974), p.461.
28. Ken Newton, Second City Politics (London, 1976).
29. NOP, 'A Survey on Prejudice', report of a survey carried out on behalf of the Institute of Public Policy Research, Feb. 1997.
30. Ivor Crewe and Bo Sarlvik, Decade of Dealignment (Cambridge, 1983), Ch. 11.
31. Butler and Stokes, op. cit., p.461.
32. Quoted in Robin Richardson and Kaushika Amin, Politics for All: Equality, Culture and the General Election, 1992 (London: 1992), p.44.
33. Andrew Lansley, 'Accentuate the Negative to Win Again', The Observer, 3 Sept. 1995.
34. Andrew Lansley, 'Race Issue Leaves Straw Blowing in the Wind', The Observer, 10 Dec. 1995; Robert Peston, 'Tories Need "Killer Facts" to Stop Electoral Death', The Financial Times, 21 Nov. 1994.
35. Andrew Lansley, 'Race Issue Leaves Straw Blowing in the Wind', The Observer, 10 Dec. 1995; Robert Peston, 'Tories Need "Killer Facts" to Stop Electoral Death', The Financial Times, 21 Nov. 1994.
36. Peter Riddle, 'A Speech to Test Labour: The Election Starts Here', The Times, 16 Nov. 1995.
37. Quoted in Lansley, 'Race Issue'.
38. BES May 1979 Election Survey.
39. Saggar, 'Can Political Parties Play the Race Card?'
40. Peter Kellner, 'Major Overhaul of British Morality', The Independent, 1 Nov. 1991.
41. Anthony Seldon, John Major: A Political Life (London, 1997).
42. Hansard, Hansard (Commons), Vol.29, 4 March 1997, col.706.
43. Shamit Saggar, 'The Transformation of the Race Issue in British Politics', New Community, Vol.20 (1993), pp.27-41.
44. Shamit Saggar, 'Racial Politics and the 1997 General Election', in Pippa Norris and Neil Gavin (ed.), Britain Votes 1997 (Oxford, 1998), pp.185-99.
45. Shamit Saggar, 'The Dog That Didn't Bite', in Andrew Geddes and Jonathan Tonge (eds.), Labour's Landslide (Manchester, 1997), pp.147-63.
46. NOP, 'A Survey on Prejudice'.
47. The sole exception was Labour's promise to scrap the 1983 'primary purpose' immigration rule, a change it quickly confirmed once in office after the election.
48. The swing against Budgen was -9.9 per cent, much the same story as in Wolverhampton NE and Wolverhampton SE (-11.9 and -9.3 per cent respectively).
49. Labour's Oona King in Bethnal Green and Bow and Marsha Singh in Bradford West, both featuring ethnic minority candidates, were the only two cases of a straight Labour-to-Conservative swing in the entire country in 1997.
50. Riddle, 'A Speech to Test Labour'.