Equality Minister Bridget Phillipson Says Racism and Sexism Have Become Normalised in Britain

Equality minister Bridget Phillipson told the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast that she is increasingly worried that misogyny and racism have become commonplace, driven by online interactions and statements from politicians that would have been unacceptable a few years ago. She described the current climate as “ground zero” for attitudes toward violence against women and girls, noting that behaviours once widely condemned are now being treated as ordinary.

The Guardian

Phillipson singled out senior Conservative figures – shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy and former economic spokesperson Robert Jenrick – for recent comments she characterised as racist. Timothy had described Muslim prayers in Trafalgar Square as an “act of domination,” while Jenrick was reported to have complained about the lack of “another white face” during a visit to Birmingham. The minister also criticised the police for a long-standing failure to take violence against women and girls seriously. Within Labour, the minister’s remarks intersect with accusations that the party is reluctant to confront similar statements from opposition MPs for fear of alienating voters.

The Guardian

Phillipson defended Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms, arguing that public consent and fairness are essential for the migration system. She linked these policies to the government’s broader aim of restoring faith in immigration controls, even as some party members have expressed concern that tougher measures could veer toward xenophobia, including proposals to deport children whose families refuse relocation. The minister’s comments also reinforce the government’s push for an under-16 social-media ban, a pledge made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer that ministers expect to implement by the following spring.

The Guardian

Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has labelled Phillipson a “spiteful class warrior,” a charge that sparked a heated exchange in the Commons. Badenoch’s criticism reflects broader partisan tension, with the minister’s role as Labour party chair involving coordination of attack lines against the Conservatives. Phillipson denied any plans to call an early election, emphasizing that the party was elected on a five-year mandate in 2024 and sees no reason to depart from it.

The Guardian

These statements illustrate the current Labour government’s focus on confronting perceived normalisation of hate while navigating intra-party debates and cross-party disputes over immigration and law-enforcement policies.

The Guardian