Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future (formerly, Director of The Fabian Society) will discuss how we talk about immigration in Britain.

A central and recurring claim in public and media debate is that there has been a conspiracy to prevent public and political debate about immigration in the post-war years, because a liberal political elite across the major parties did not and does not want to hear or act upon the public's desire to reduce immigration.

Why is there a sense of disconnection between politicians and the public over the issue? Why, given how much we argue about immigration in public, do people still feel that they can't talk about immigration openly? And what could be done to open up the public debate and deal with the sense of disconnection?

The Inaugural Krishan Anand Memorial public lecture entitled Why can't we talk about immigration? is hosted by the University’s School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies. The event will take place in Lecture Room 2D3, Social Sciences Complex, 12 Priory Road on Thursday 24 November at 5 pm and will be followed by a drinks reception.

Krishan Anand (1934 - 2003) was a pioneer in community relations and racial equality activity in Bristol, and will be remembered at the start of the event by Dr Rohit Barot.