Patrick Vernon

The British Nationality Act of 1948 gave citizens of UK Colonies the right of settlement in the UK. In the wake of post World War 2 labour shortages, the British government campaigned for workers from abroad, which led to increased immigration from 1948 and 1970, particularly from the Caribbean. Working age adults and many children travelled to join parents or grandparents in the UK or travelled with their parents without their own passports. They helped to build the NHS, staffed the transport systems and transformed industry in the UK.

Despite these achievements, 2018 ushered in the ‘Windrush Scandal’, where it emerged that for years this generation had faced deportation and evictions due to failures by the Home Office to keep records of their legal status. This was met with protests and public pushback which resulted in a commitment to support and compensate those who have been affected.

So where are we now? What lessons can we learn for the future? Join Professor ‘Funmi Olonisakin, Vice-President and Vice-Principal International at King’s College London, as she discusses justice, value and identity with Patrick Vernon OBE, a Social Commentator, campaigner and cultural historian.