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.
We’re nearly halfway there! Thanks to amazing supporters, we’ve raised £23 toward this month’s £50 goal to fund independent research and reporting.
If you value fearless political journalism that holds the powerful to account, please chip in today. Even £2 helps keep Vox Political running strong.
👉 Support us here: https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
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.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
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.
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
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?
We’re nearly halfway there! Thanks to amazing supporters, we’ve raised £23 toward this month’s £50 goal to fund independent research and reporting.
Let’s close the gap this week! Help us hit £50 and power the next investigation.
If you value fearless political journalism that holds the powerful to account, please chip in today. Even £2 helps keep Vox Political running strong.
👉 Support us here: https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
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.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
From solidarity to scapegoating – civil rights and inequality in post-war Britain (80 years after VE Day)
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.
We’re nearly halfway there! Thanks to amazing supporters, we’ve raised £23 toward this month’s £50 goal to fund independent research and reporting.
If you value fearless political journalism that holds the powerful to account, please chip in today. Even £2 helps keep Vox Political running strong.
👉 Support us here: https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
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.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
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.
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
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?
We’re nearly halfway there! Thanks to amazing supporters, we’ve raised £23 toward this month’s £50 goal to fund independent research and reporting.
Let’s close the gap this week! Help us hit £50 and power the next investigation.
If you value fearless political journalism that holds the powerful to account, please chip in today. Even £2 helps keep Vox Political running strong.
👉 Support us here: https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
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.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
you might also like
Poor income growth and inequality mean UK families face ‘terminal decline’ in living standards
As others see us: German magazine offers depressing verdict on the UK
Political lies about poverty and inequality have got to stop