The evolution of anti-immigration views of E. Powell in the context of the decolonization in the 1950-1960s

One of the key problems of the modern world as a whole and Europe in particular is the problem of increasing migration flows and the actualization of racial and ethnic contradictions. The migration crisis of 2014-2016, as well as the recognition by EU leaders of the failure of the policy of multiculturalism, make researchers pay attention to the search for the causes and premises of this phenomenon. One of them is the question of the role of the individual in history, namely in the development and adoption of migration legislation. On the example of Great Britain, one of the most famous figures associated with the development of a sharply anti-immigration course was the representative of the Conservative Party, E. Powell. In domestic and foreign historiography, the figure of this politician has long been on the periphery of research interests. The actualization of his figure in modern historiography in recent years is due to the understanding of the contribution of E. Powell to the formation of the cultural memory of British society in connection with the collapse of the multicultural strategy of Great Britain. The aim of the study is to reveal the ideological and political system of views of E. Powell regarding the migration and racial problem in the 19501960s, using such new methodological tools as methods and strategies of persuasive communication, as well as critical discourse analysis and historical biographical approach. The main type of source base in the study is the public speaking of the politician, which, together with other ego-documents, has revealed the evolution and essence of his political views on increasing the number of arriving migrants to the UK. Considerable attention is paid to the most famous “Rivers of blood speech” emphasizing Powell’s desire for political leadership and the realization of his ambitions. The analysis of this presentation is based on an interdisciplinary approach, including a synthesis of historical and political methods and approaches. The authors conclude that the basis of Powell’s views on the current immigration process was laid during his stay in India, and their subsequent evolution is associated with the reaction of British citizens to a sharp increase in the number of foreigners in the United Kingdom. Thus, the transformation of the views of a politician resulted in a consistent radicalization of views on the issue of legislative regulation of migration flows. Powell’s most drastic anti-migration sentiments were reflected in his “Rivers of blood speech” in which he not only drew attention to this problem, but also demonstrated his political ambitions, which were revealed against the backdrop of worsening relations with the leader of the conservative party, E. Heath. The authors show Powell’s desire for political leadership in the party, the hopes of which collapsed after his speech was recognized as racist. The article also notes that such a system of views of Powell was characteristic of the “post-imperial” identity that arose as a result of the change in the status of the country.

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