How should we think about white British ethnic decline?

The Equiano Project

This event will explore Britain’s future in the wake of demographic transformation.

SW1P 3JS

The white British population is projected to become a minority in the coming decades - a shift driven by sustained large-scale immigration and declining native birth rates. Alongside ethnic change, Britain has undergone a dramatic religious transition. In 2001, over 70% of the population identified as Christian; by 2021, that figure had fallen below 50%. Meanwhile, the Muslim population has grown steadily. This event seeks to explore the future of Britain through a difficult but necessary lens: what does white ethnic decline mean—culturally, politically, and socially? How will Britain change in the coming decades, and what challenges or opportunities might this transformation bring? SPEAKERSJohn Denham, former MP and Labour minister and Director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics, University of SouthamptonPaul Embery, firefighter, trade unionist, Blue Labour commentator and author of Despised: Why the Modern Left Loathes the Working Class (2020)Eric Kaufmann, Professor of Politics at the University of Buckingham, Director of the Centre for Heterodox Social Science and author of Whiteshift: Populism, Immigration and the Future of White Majorities (2018)Luke Tryl, Executive Director, More in Common UKChaired by Journalist and Equiano Project director, Inaya Folarin Iman. In recent years, ethnic tensions have become more visible, such as the anti-immigration riots in 2024. Online, memes like “Yookay” express a growing sentiment among some that mass immigration has contributed to cultural decline and social fragmentation. Concerns have emerged that a shrinking white majority may develop a more defensive ethnic consciousness, deepening polarisation. Others fear the erosion of Britain’s cultural inheritance, as fewer people maintain generational ties to the nation’s history and traditions. There is also growing unease about the potential rise of sectarian voting blocs and parallel communities, in which ethnic groups increasingly compete for influence, rather than share a common civic space. A further source of tension lies in the perception that these changes were never democratically endorsed. For decades, mass immigration continued despite consistent public opposition, fuelling a sense among some that the transformation of the country has been imposed from above, rather than an organic evolution. Yet not everyone views these changes with concern. Some argue that hyper-diversity is an inevitable consequence of global modernity, driven by economic integration and the welcome international circulation of people, ideas, and cultures. For them, Britain has always been shaped by waves of immigration, and today's changes are simply the latest chapter in a long, evolving story. Public attitudes have also shifted: only a small minority now believe that being white is essential to being English. The growing mixed-race population is seen by some as a positive sign of integration and hybridity, and a more inclusive national identity. Others suggest that white Britons have voluntarily embraced a highly individualistic culture, prioritising career, mobility, and self-expression over family and fertility, while immigrant communities are sustaining key parts of society through work, religious life, and higher birth rates. 📅 Date: Thursday 27th November 2025📍 Venue: Tapestry &amp; Turret Rooms,5-8 The Sanctuary, London SW1P 3JS🕖 Time: 7:00–9:00pm (doors open 6:30pm)🎟 Tickets:<ul><li>In-person: £20</li><li>Livestream: £10</li></ul>Limited seating — early booking recommended.

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