Talking about immigration is a sensitive topic for many British families during the Christmas holiday, according to recent polling. As families gather for the festive season, there is a trend to steer clear of discussions surrounding politicians, the economy, and religion at the Christmas dinner table.
A survey conducted by Public First reveals that 43% of respondents aim to avoid the subject of immigration during Christmas, ranking it as the top topic to sidestep, ahead of politics (39%), the economy (35%), and religion (33%). The inclination to skirt discussions on immigration is notably higher among older individuals, with 51% of those aged 55-64 expressing a desire to avoid the topic.
The avoidance of immigration conversations extends across various political affiliations, with Liberal Democrat voters (48%) showing the highest tendency to steer clear of the topic, followed by Green voters (47%) and Reform voters (45%). Among Labour supporters, 42% stated they would avoid discussing immigration, while the figure stood at 39% for Conservative voters.
In recent years, immigration has emerged as a divisive issue, evidenced by protests outside asylum accommodations and anti-immigration incidents like the Southport stabbings. Additionally, the survey found that nearly a third (32%) of young people are likely to engage in arguments with their family during the Christmas period.
Seb Wride, a partner at Public First and head of opinion research, noted the disparity between public conversations on immigration and those held within families during the holiday season. While there is increasing confidence in discussing immigration publicly, these discussions have not fully translated to family settings yet, indicating that societal divides have not permeated the spirit of goodwill, at least not audibly.
