Discussions about immigration emerge as a sensitive topic for British households during the Christmas season, a recent survey reveals.
As families gather for the festive celebrations, many prefer to steer clear of conversations revolving around politicians, the economy, and religion during their Christmas feasts.
According to new research conducted by Public First, 43% of respondents expressed a desire to avoid discussing immigration during Christmas, ranking it as the most avoided topic. This preference surpasses the avoidance of political discussions (39%), economic matters (35%), and religious talks (33%).
The inclination to sidestep immigration discussions is notably pronounced among older individuals. More than half (51%) of respondents aged 55-64 indicated their intention to steer clear of the topic during Christmas, marking the highest avoidance rate across age groups.
This trend of avoidance spans various political affiliations, with Liberal Democrat voters (48%) showing the highest likelihood of evading immigration discussions, followed by Green voters (47%) and Reform voters (45%). Additionally, 42% of Labour voters and 39% of Conservative voters cited intentions to avoid the topic.
In recent years, immigration has become a divisive issue, exemplified by widespread protests outside asylum hotels and anti-immigration riots in response to past events like the Southport stabbings.
Moreover, Public First’s research indicates that nearly a third (32%) of young individuals are prone to engaging in arguments with family members during the Christmas festivities.
Seb Wride, a partner at Public First and head of opinion research, remarked, “A clear discrepancy exists between the conversations held by politicians and the media versus those embraced by individuals during their holiday meals.
“Our research this year, conducted through focus groups and face-to-face interactions, indicates a growing confidence among the public in expressing their views on immigration, often initiating conversations on the topic immediately.
“However, this level of openness with researchers has not yet translated to conversations within families. Despite immigration gaining traction as a prominent issue, societal divisions have not prominently surfaced during the season of goodwill, at least not audibly.”