Dividing Britain: Race, Class, and Islamophobia

We speak with British historian and journalist, Taj Ali, and explore how race, class, and political power intersect in contemporary Britain, examining how elites and far-right figures employ Islamophobia to divide working-class people and deflect from economic struggles. Drawing on on-the-ground insights from Luton, historical parallels with earlier waves of far-right violence, and the rise of a globalized Islamophobia industry, the discussion unpacks how online disinformation and political rhetoric have translated into real-world harm for British Muslims. The conversation also looks beyond the UK, reflecting on Zohran Mamdani’s class-focused electoral victory in New York and what lessons it may offer for building cross-racial working-class solidarity amid Britain’s increasingly polarized political landscape.