IT was indeed an election season last week, with South Africans, Malawians, Europeans, Ukrainians and Egyptians all going to the polls to elect new leadership.
But the results of the English local elections and the Member of European Parliament (MEP) elections have far reaching implications on the immigrant community in the European Union (EU) and Britain because of the rise of racist far-right wing parties such as the UK Independent Party, which performed much better in both the English and EU elections described by some political commentators as a political earthquake in British history.
Surprisingly though, the BNP led by Nick Griffin, which is also a dangerous far-right wing party lost its support in both the local and Member of European Parliament elections (Nick Griffin lost as an MEP).
For many years BNP’s anti-immigration politics tormented many immigrants.
While we celebrate the demise of BNP, it is worrisome that UKIP is gaining ground using the same anti-immigrant rhetoric. In the local elections UKIP gained 128 seats, the Tories and Liberal Democrats (coalition partners) lost 230 and 310 seats respectively, while Labour gained about 338 seats and control of more local councils.
Across Europe, members of far-right wing parties such as the National Front in France also gained momentum while in the UK our antagonising far-right party UKIP got the highest number of seats (24 out of UK’s 73 seats) allocated to Britain.
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about how some of the UKIP candidates were posting racist comments on twitter, some eulogising slavery and white supremacy.
Andrea Lampitt, a Rhodie, was not so lucky and got expelled from that party for his racist sentiments.
Maybe because Rhodesian racism is shunned by many British people who quickly distance themselves from Rhodesians.
I remember one white British saying to me, “What the hell did they think they were doing over there?
“They are a disgrace!”
Nevertheless the rise of UKIP is a cause for concern for us.
In the rundown council estate (where I live) I was also surprised to find out that although the area remains a Labour party stronghold, UKIP and BNP have made major inroads.
We also had a Zimbabwean, Joshua Murombo Chigwangwa who participated in the council elections.
Mr Chigwangwa was a Labour candidate for the Pashanger ward in Welwyn Garden and City, Hertfordshire.
He stood no chance in a Conservative stronghold and came third to Conservatives and UKIP respectively.
After Obama’s victory in America, there have been questions and speculation about when a black will become a PM in Britain, or President in France.
That will never happen in Britain.
The surge in far right anti-immigration political parties is not surprising given the negative media coverage of immigration and immigrants by right wing newspapers: “BRITAIN is facing a flood of migrants who live in other EU states because our benefits are ‘difficult to resist’, experts are warning.” (The Express, December 31 2013); “Somali asylum seeker family given £2m house… after complaining 5-bed London home was ‘in poor area’ “(The Daly Mail, July 2010); and “A family of jobless refugees who allegedly wrecked a £1,25million house paid for by the taxpayer claim they are ‘entitled’ to live there.”
“Manal Mahmoud and her seven children moved into the Victorian end-of-terrace home after it was given a £76 000 facelift.” (The Daily Mail, August 14 2012).
In addition there has been wider speculation about a surge in immigrants coming from Romania and Bulgaria.
The British people, and most Europeans, are blaming their economic problems on immigrants.
It is very unlikely that we will have a Conservative government next year, according to projections from political analysts.
We may have an outright Labour government, or a hung parliament with New Labour as the biggest party.
But the days of the Tories are numbered.
What is clear is that racism is on the rise.
In employment many immigrants are complaining of victimisation because of their race and ethnicity.
Commenting on the election, Farai Buzuzi, a ZANU PF youth activist based in Birmingham, wrote on his facebook page:
“Zimbabweans in the UK the time has come for us to come together regardless of political affiliation and work for positive solutions for a better Zimbabwe that benefits us as Zimbabweans.
“Today the British have spoken. Those with ears have heard.”
But Farai’s post attracted both positive and negative comments.
One person identified as ‘Zimtownship Freight’ responded to his post by saying, “Hanzi UKIP is a party of loonies and closet racists.
“Now that the same party has done very well in elections, it implies mabvakure sesu ma Zimba tutai mikwende yenyu nguva ichiripo mudzokere.”
However, some Zimbabweans think they are not affected by these racist parties because they are ‘now British’, as one identified as Brighton Musonza commented on Farai’s post: “Don’t worry about Zimbabweans in the UK; we are all British now and we are here to stay.
“Our qualities can break all barriers.
“Nothing much will change in the neighbourhoods.”
Perhaps Brighton Musonza should read someone identifying himself as Wesley D Farrar on the racist Britain First facebook page: “They’re not even British … does my head in when they call them that.
“If a pig is born in a stable … does that make it a horse?
“I think not!”
Another one identifying himself as Daryl Hales also commented, “They are not British, they are scum who have a British passport.
“The same as the other nine million who have a British passport.”
To capitalise on UKIP and far-right parties victory in last week’s elections, a new facebook page, ‘Britain First’, was quickly opened by white racists.
Within a few minutes of its opening, there was a tirade of racial abuse on the comments.
One person who identified himself as Stephen Higham wrote in broken English: “I want my country like it was in 1990!!
“This is non-Muslim country!
“Ther is muslims goin around London sayin too people u can’t drink or smoke cause its muslim strreet!
“Makes me sick!
“Hope they come too me say that too me!
“Just laff at them!
“Fight them scum bags all I see with islam over the world its nonces murder wars tellin they wifes what too do and what too were!
“All muslims are dogs too me! Scum scum scum!”
Another who identified himself Jon Limmage wrote, “How long before our peaceful patriots become as frustrated as the IRA did and begin to use the same tactics, is that what it is going to take before our country takes notice and kicks this government into the gutter with the rest of the rats?”
Already as it is there are many policies that are disadvantaging immigrants.
I think Farai is right.
It is time for all Zimbabweans, anywhere in the world, to come together and help rebuild our country.