In 1945, Britain emerged from the rubble of war with a sense of unity.

Having fought together across class, race, and gender lines, there was a shared belief that the post-war peace must deliver not just economic rebuilding but social justice too.

The vision of “never again” wasn’t just about avoiding another war — it was about creating a society where the structures that led to inequality, exploitation, and division would be dismantled.

For a time, it worked.

A welfare state was built.

Workers had a voice.

Women began to gain ground.

And, although still steeped in colonial assumptions, Britain saw waves of immigration not as threats, but as part of rebuilding the nation.

But fast-forward 80 years, and the solidarity of 1945 feels like a distant memory.

Inequality entrenched

The UK today is one of the most economically unequal societies in the developed world.

Wealth is concentrated in the hands of the few, while millions live in or near poverty.

Public services — once the equalising force — are being stripped away.

Access to decent housing, healthcare, and education depends increasingly on luck, wealth, or postcode.

Meanwhile, the rhetoric of civil rights has become hollow.

Discrimination persists in policing, housing, employment, and media representation.

Migrant communities are scapegoated for the very problems caused by austerity, deregulation, and political failure.

The rise of hostile environment policies, deportation flights, and inflammatory rhetoric shows just how far we’ve slid from the promise of equality under the law.

Immigration: distraction or danger?

The way immigration is used as a political tool today should concern us all.

Instead of addressing structural inequality, politicians fall back on divide-and-rule.

Immigrants — often fleeing war, poverty, or persecution — are portrayed not as fellow human beings, but as burdens or threats.

This is not just cruel; it is a distraction.

It allows those in power to avoid accountability for decades of economic vandalism, while turning working-class communities against one another.

Are we still fighting for equality?

VE Day was a celebration of victory over fascism — and with it, the triumph of democratic, inclusive values.

But those values are fragile.

Without constant defence, they erode.

If the UK is to honour the legacy of 1945, it must recommit to the principle that everyone deserves dignity — regardless of background, race, or nationality.

That means rejecting the politics of fear, rebuilding inclusive public services, and challenging inequality wherever it is found.

We did it once, under far worse conditions.

The question is: can we find the courage to do it again?

Were you — or your family — part of the post-war movement for civil rights and equality?

Have you seen the change over time in how the UK treats different communities?

Share your experiences. Comment on the article or email [email protected]

Let us know what equality meant to you then — and what it means now. Your voice is part of this history.