Working Paper: May 2021 - Leicester Figshare
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Working Paper: May 2021
The Leicester Mercury: Race on the Front Page.
A working paper collating all references to race and immigration on the front
page of the Leicester Mercury from January 1967 to December 1979. This period
saw rapid immigration of East Africa Asians to Leicester and the rise and fall of
the National Front in the City.
Search Terms; Immigration, Racism, National Front, Kenyan Asians; Ugandan
Asians; Leicester Mercury; AIMS Anti-Immigration Society; Unity Against
Racialism.
For further details contact.
Dr. Liam McCarthy,
Honorary Fellow,
HYPIR,
University of Leicester.
Email: lm497@leicester.ac.ukLiam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury: Race on the front page, 1967-1979.
This working paper is based on research into the change in front page coverage of the
Leicester Mercury on immigration, race and ethnic minority subjects between 1967 and 1979.
This period was key in the history of race relations in the Leicester highlighted by increasing
immigration to Leicester from Kenya in the late 1960s, Uganda in the 1970s and the rise and
fall of the anti-immigration National Front as a sustainable electoral force in the city by 1980.
The coverage of these issues by the Leicester Mercury during this period has been described
in the existing literature on immigration to Leicester as racist.1 This working paper challenges
this view and asks to what extent was the Leicester Mercury leading the debate around
immigration or following events as any responsible local newspaper should do? The answer
lies somewhere in between but a change in the coverage of the issues in the Leicester
Mercury is discernible from the mid 1970s. The tables on the following pages show all of the
stories featuring immigration, race or ethnic minority subjects that the Leicester Mercury
placed on its front pages between 1967 and 1979. Over this thirteen year period 365 stories
featured on the Leicester Mercury front page. Given that each year the newspaper published
on an average of 290 days this suggests that on average stories appeared every ten days.
However, in tabulated form the trends and high points become clearer.
LEICESTER MERCURY FRONT PAGE STORIES: IMMIGRATION, RACE & BAME SUBJECTS
Page Number Year Local National Total
in this paper. Stories Stories
6 1967 12 0 12
7 1968 29 26 55
10 1969 13 6 19
11 1970 9 14 23
12 1971 9 9 18
13 1972 57 9 66
17 1973 18 6 24
19 1974 40 5 45
21 1975 17 2 19
22 1976 15 7 22
24 1977 17 2 19
26 1978 17 5 22
28 1979 21 0 21
Total 274 91 365
Source: Leicester Mercury, ROLL&R.
1
For example, see: V. Marett, Immigrants Settling In The City, (Leicester University Press: Leicester, 1989) and
J. Herbert, Negotiating Boundaries in the City, (Ashgate: Abingdon, 2008).
2Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Over the period the number of national stories declines. This is accounted for by the design of
the paper as it gradually reduced the number of front page stories from as many as twelve to
settle on one or two major stories by the end of the decade. There are also years in which the
number of front page stories is far higher than in others. This shows a newspaper following
news events as they occur rather than one with an editorial imperative to drive an anti-
immigration agenda forward. This can be better seen in chart form.
FRONT PAGE STORIES FEATURING IMMIGRATION, RACE OR ETHNIC MINORITIES.
70
60
National
50
Local
40
30
20
10
0
1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Source: Leicester Mercury, ROLL&R.
The three stand out years are 1968, 1972 and 1974.
In 1968 two major news stories dominated the news agenda around immigration; Enoch
Powell made his ‘rivers of blood’ speech in April 1968 and the Labour Government
responded to increasing Asian immigration from East Africa, notably Kenya, by
introducing a new Immigration Act. In Leicester there was a sharp rise in immigration
and the Anti-Immigration Society was launched via a full page advert in the Leicester
Mercury.
In 1972 Idi Amin, the President of Uganda, gave Asians ninety days to leave the country
and many as holders of British passports headed for Britain. Leicester became a major
destination and anti-immigration sentiment led to an increase in support for a fledgling
3Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
National Front branch in the city. A strike at Mansfield Hosiery Mills in Loughborough
became a proxy for racial antipathy as Asian strikers fought for wages and recognition
with the Unions and the company.
In 1974 another strike featuring Asian workers in the city dominated the agenda, this
time at Imperial Typewriters. The National Front used the strike as a focus for its
racially motivated policies as it fought local seats in the two general elections in
February and October.2
However, restricting the search to days which only featured immigration the picture is
different. Both 1968 and 1972 stand out as years in which immigration features strongly. This
is understandable as they are years in which immigration levels to the city from Kenya (1968)
and Uganda (1972) peaked.
DAYS IN WHICH FRONT PAGE STORIES FEATURED IMMIGRATION.
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Source: Leicester Mercury, ROLL&R.
The most toxic year in the race relations of the city was 1976. The National Front gained 18.5
percent of the vote in the city council elections, but this year does not stand out as one in
2
For more information on the strikes see; J. Wrench, ‘Unequal Comrades: Trade Unions, Equal Opportunity
and Racism’, Policy Papers in Ethnic Relations No.5, Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations, University of
Warwick, April 1986.
4Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
which the Leicester Mercury accentuated the racial problems in the city on the front page.
For more information on the electoral record of the National Front in the 1970s and the
British National Party see my working paper ‘The National Front and the BNP in post-
immigration Leicester’.
In the following tables the stories are set out as printed in the newspapers and available to view
on microfiche at the Record Office for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Generally, the
stories are not accompanied by commentary, although some context is added where
appropriate. I have included quotes from the Leicester Mercury editorial columns where they
make significant points.
I believe these tables will allow academics to find ‘jumping-off’ points when researching the
race relations of post war Leicester. In any event I hope it will make the Leicester Mercury,
which has yet to be digitised, more accessible.
Liam McCarthy,
Honorary Fellow,
HYPIR, University of Leicester.
18 May 2021.
5Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1967
Date Story Local Nat.
15 February Mr. Patel Richer By £25,000. X
Local pools winner. Came to Leicester from Bombay in 1962. Driller
at Ratby Engineering. Spoke through an interpreter.
09 March Inside page feature on upcoming BBC Radio Leicester (launched n/a
November 8). Includes a spoof schedule which suggests; ‘6.30 pm,
The Singhs – A story of everyday Highfields folk’.
14 March CITY TEACHERS URGE MIGRANT QUOTA FOR X
SCHOOLS. The National Association of School Masters argues
Leicester school should have a maximum quota of 30% of migrant
children. The report suggest the Director of Education, Elfedd
Thomas is to issue a report ‘on problems of migrant children’.
18 March First Coloured Man Joins City Police. X
Clyde Walker from Antigua becomes a special constable.
18 April Ban on Indian Lifted – Now He Can Marry. X
Young boy allowed to marry in Leicester – the story suggests there
was some confusion about his age.
28 April Gang Wreck Negro Youths’ Flat in ‘Race Raid’. X
Court case coverage.
30 May Through Highfields with Band and Banner. X
Black church recruiting / mission parade. There is a big photograph
on the front page.
27 July Highfields Doubtful on New Race Laws. X
Interviews with people in Highfields; ‘little United Nations’ of
Leicester. Reporting on Immigration legislation.
15 August INDIAN LEADER FINED £200 FOR DUTY EVASION. X
Leading Indian citizen brings in Saris without paying customs duty.
02 September CITY HOME FOR BACKDOOR IMMIGRANTS. X
Suggests ’30-60 illegals’ from India and Pakistan have been
smuggled into Leicester. No attributable sources just ‘police and
immigration authorities’ but report states; ‘Inquiries are difficult, for
many immigrants have the same two or three names and look very
alike’.
27 September Shalwar Pact for School Peace. X
Muslims accept a compromise on shalwar trousers for girls at Moat
School.
11 October Cambridge Place for Indian Boy. X
Picture of boy accepted to study medicine at Cambridge. Report says
family arrived in Leicester in 1956. Mother teaches immigrant
women about health.
15 November ‘Racial Explosion’ Warning to Education Committee. CITY X
IMMIGRANT ARRIVALS HAVE DOUBLED.
Up to 80 per month seeking school places. Councillor Hadyn
Williams who is ‘concerned over the numbers who can’t speak
English’ is quoted; ‘if we don’t do something about this soon then the
sort of racial explosions that are common place in America will
become common place in this country and this city’.
On P21: Councillor is challenged on immigrants statement.
Balances the story a little.
6Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1968: 20 April, Powell ‘Rivers of Blood’ Speech.
Date Story Local Nat.
22 January System So Easily Twisted, Home Secretary Told; IMMIGRANT X
TELLS OF ‘MARRIAGE RUSE’.
Local Indian quoted; ‘country spoiled by hordes of illegal
immigrants’ (From India). Supported by local MP Tom Boardman
(Leicester South West - Conservative 1967-1974). Story quotes
figures for entry into the UK for marriage in 1967 at 2,494.
16 February EXTRA TEACHERS FOR THESE MIGRANT CHILDREN. X
Extra teachers appointed in Loughborough with ‘children arriving
weekly from India, Pakistan and East Africa’.
22 February Crash plan to halt immigration. X
Report from the House of Commons (H.o.C.) and new policy on
immigration by Home Secretary James Callaghan.
23 February £425 offered for £107 tickets X
ASIANS RUSH FOR ‘BEAT THE BAN FLIGHTS’.
Report from Nairobi.
24 February 1. Three More Planeloads Arrive at Heathrow, XX
ASIANS HEADING FOR LEICESTER,
Millionaires may back Berlin-style airlift.
Plan to bring in heads of 20-30,000 families before new immigration
rules take effect.
2. Indians Plan Big Protest Meeting in Leicester.
The Indian Workers Association (IWA) says ‘government policy is
racialism’.
26 February 1. 1,250 Kenyans Will Settle in Leicester. XX X
Claim from local IWA branch.
2. Callaghan Refuses to see Asians.
National Story
3. CITY PROTEST: 1,000 Asians to march through City in
protest at Immigration Bill on Saturday.
28 February Young Asians Sleep in Hall at Airport. X
Report from Nairobi on potential immigrants to Britain.
29 February ‘What does it mean?’ Demand: MPS IN A FOG OVER PLEDGE X
BY CALLAGHAN.
Is it a 1,500 quota or unrestricted access for expelled Kenyans?
01 March 1. New muddle on Asian Immigrants: BRITAIN SHUTS ITS XX X
DOOR AT MIDNIGHT.
2. Immigrants put City’s School Report out of gear.
3. Indian Party Quits March: Protest at treatment of Kenyan
Asians.
To be held in city on Saturday.
02 March 1. Last flights from Kenya: 26 ASIANS WITHOUT PERMITS X X
ALLOWED IN.
Their plane was in the air at midnight when the Commonwealth
Immigration Act came into force.
2. Miss Moat Girls School.
Picture Story with Satinder Takhar (Sic) winning personality contest.
Family came to Leicester in 1962.
29 March Schools ‘Migrant Quota’ may be too high. X
Report states ‘city level of coloured and immigrant children may
break Ministry of Education limits’.
18 April Humphrey Berkeley ‘quits Tory Party over immigration policy. X
Former MP for Lancaster. Lost his seat in 1966 Election.
7Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1968: Continued
Date Story Local Nat.
20 April 1. RACE BILL; ‘Like Match to Gunpowder’. XX
2. Immigration: Powell says, ‘Nation must be mad’.
22 April HEATH FACES THREE WAY SPLIT OVER RACE BILL. X
Aftermath of Powell speech in which Powell was sacked from the
Shadow Cabinet.
23 April Powell: Page 4 Letters 40 to 1 in support. X
Headline plugging the letters page.
24 April 1. More Support From Dockers: RACE ROW CALL FOR SIR XXX
EDWARD BOYLE TO QUIT.
Shadow Cabinet member who abstained in Race Relation Bill vote.
2. 40,000 Letters to Enoch.
Letters to Page 4 are 7/2 for Powell in this edition.
3. Heath Wrong Says Poll.
Wolverhampton Express and Star on sacking Powell.
25 April MP To Ask About Letter To Powell. X
Immigration officers write in support of Powell.
26 April 1. 400 March to Lobby MPS X X
3,000 DOCKERS STRIKE OVER IMMIGRATION.
2. Black Power Man in Leicester.
Invited to speak at the University of Leicester and tour Highfields.
27 April ‘I foresaw it’, Sir Cyril. X
Louth Tory MP Sir Cyril Osborne says he ‘has been saying as Powell
for 15 years’. A JP in Leicester he was outspoken on race …. See;
Osborne, Sir Cyril. “The Colour Problem in Britain: Right.” The
Spectator, December 4, 1964, pp. 7-8 in which he writes; 'if
unlimited immigration were allowed, we should ultimately become a
chocolate-coloured, Afro-Asian mixed society. That I do not want'.
30 April Guard on home of Enoch Powell after murder threat. X
01 May ‘Disgraceful’ – Labour Official. X
ROW LOOMS AFTER TORY BACKING FOR POWELL.
Local Labour group respond to Leicester NE Tory constituency party
issue statement in support of Powell.
Also see Page 10. Boardman – Immigrants must accept our life or
get out.
Report on the rise of racial tension in the City.
02 May Immigration Ban Sought By Tory MPs. X
03 May Immigration Puts Up Cost of Education – City Council. X
12 May City Tories say stop Immigration – ‘ We have reached saturation X
point’.
Quote attributed to Alderman Harold Heard Chair of the Tory Group
on the City Council.
29 May ‘We’re Powerless’ – Race Board. X
BLATANT COLOUR BAR IN WORKING MENS CLUB.
Annual report of the Race Relations Board.
07 June Flow of Migrant Children to City Tumbles. X
Report on the effect of the Commonwealth Immigration Act since
March.
12 June Murder Threat to AIMS Official. X
Anti-Immigration Society formed in Leicester in April
19 June Student Boos and Jeers for Powell. X
On a speaking visit to Birmingham University
8Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1968: Continued
Date Story Local Nat.
05 July ‘Flood of Immigrants Swamping City Health Services’. X
Quote attributed to Neville Hanger (Cons.) Chair of City Council
Health Committee.
09 July 1. Some Migrant Children Barred from Schools. XX
2. ‘I’ll vote for amendment’ – Tom Boardman joins revolt on
Race Bill.
MP for Leicester SW opposes Tory party policy.
10 July 1. Quintin Hogg Dismayed at Public Feeling – 49 X X
CONSERVTIVE MPs IN RACE BILL REVOLT.
2. ‘Now for Action’ – says Tom Boardman.
Local Tory rebel MP.
22 July More Aid For Migrant Areas. X
Government pledging more money for cities like Leicester
23 July Immigrant Aid – ‘Thankful for small mercies’ say City Chiefs. X
08 August Immigrants Pocket £30m in Tax Fiddle. X
26 September Rivals Attacked Indian Candidate – City Court told. X
Inter community friction in Leicester.
30 September AIMS DINNER ‘UNMITIGATED DISASTER, SAYS X
CHAIRMAN.
Leicester first branch of AIMS tries to go national but dinner
attended by 100 ruined by ‘racialist views of speakers’ says
Chairman.
Further detail on Page 9. AIMS CALL FOR REPATRIATION OF
ALL IMMIGRANTS SINCE 1949, ‘Coloured People will take
over Britain’. Founder stresses the repatriation call includes Irish and
Poles.
08 October £3m IMMIGRANT AID: CITY INVITED TO APPLY. X
12 October Reply on Immigrants: HEATH WARNS ‘NO TALK OF X
DEPORTATION”.
Heath conference speech on immigration.
19 October ‘Colour Bar At Club Say Three Expelled Members. X
Report on Spinney Hills Working Mens Club.
23 October STUDENT FIGHT ENDS POWELL SPEECH. X
Exeter University
25 October ‘Send us home – with £5,000 each’ X
Interview with local hairdresser Joseph Jeffers.
26 October Blasphemous Words Powell Tells Bishop. X
Article in Church Newsletter by Bishop of Worcester attacked by
Powell.
27 October Black Community Must Prepare Counter Offensive X
RACE WAR IS INEVITABLE POLICE ARE TOLD.
London story.
16 November ‘Alien Areas’ forecast - SEND THEM HOME. X
MR. POWELL SAYS IT AGAIN.
Report on speech by Powell to be delivered in Eastbourne later that
day in which he called for a Ministry of Repatriation.
22 November Powell Speech – No prosecution. X
Update on Powell Eastbourne speech.
03 December IMMIGRATION: SANDYS’S THREE POINT PLAN. X
Leading Tory MP sacked from Shadow Cabinet by Heath in 1966
calls for repatriation.
9Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1969
Date Story Local Nat.
25 January ‘Complete Control Needed’ X
ACT NOW OVER IMMIGRATRION SAYS HEATH.
Heath speech in Walsall trying to get the initiative from Powell.
30 January New Cut in Immigrant Quotas. X
Changes to the implementation of the Commonwealth Immigration
Bill.
16 May Anti-Apartheid Demo in City. X
Picture – Banners include ‘No Racialism in Leicester’.
21 May Asians Flock In To Beat Ban. X
India and Pakistan flights to beat upcoming ban.
06 June Vicar a victim of racialist campaign’. X
Rev. Derek Sawyer, an anti-racism campaigner at St Michael and All
Angels on Belgrave Road (Now SABRAS Radio!).
11 June Exam Ban Misery For Immigrant Children. X
King Richard 111 School stops immigrant children from taking
English O Levels in case they fail.
17 June Immigrant Jurors – CY MPs Big Fear. X
Tom Boardman worries if Asians sit in juries will they understand
enough about ‘English character traits’.
10 September RACE BOARD LOSES CASE ON A TECHNICALITY. X
Leeds case a first test for the Race Relations Act.
27 September 1. Anti-Powell Leaflets. XX
Leaflets produced by the IRSC (Inter Racial Solidarity Campaign).
2. Powell Speaks to Harborough Division Tory Association.
De Montfort Hall Speech – audience supportive of Powell.
03 October King-making group reject ‘strings-attached’ gift X
ENOCH £20,000 RIDDLE.
Frank Craven local builder of Stanford Hall, Lutterworth in a bid to
support Powell’s leadership bid.
23 October HARD TO KEEP COUNT OF CITY’S IMMIGRANTS. X
Ministry of Health report estimates over 5,000 immigrant children at
city schools.
05 November Leicester Students Jeer Team X
ANTI-SPRINGBOK MARCH ON TWICKENHAM.
Against South African rugby tour.
07 November 17 Pakistanis On Cruiser. X
Illegal immigration plot.
08 November SIX HURT IN DEMO CLASH. X
Springboks play at Welford Road.
10 November Nine In Court At Leicester X
STUDENT COUPLE FINED £70 IN DEMO CASE.
After Springboks match.
17 November Springboks; ‘Someone May Be Hurt’. X
MP Question in the HoC.
25 November INDIAN FACES TAX CHARGE. X
Local tax evasion case.
10 December IMMIGRANT GIRL IS NEW LEPROSY CASE. X
Local 20 year old. Stories over the summer of ’69 about rare medical
cases. Reporting doesn’t mention immigrants or migrants but this
headline does possibly stoke up fear.
10Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1970
Date Story Local Nat.
03 January ‘Wife Wouldn’t Cook’ – Murder Court Told. X
Indian post office worker on trial for murder.
10 January Leicestershire Figures In Registrars Report X
ONE IN FOUR BABIES BORN TO IMMIGRANTS.
This becomes a thread in 1970s reporting.
17 January IMMIGRANTS: POWELL’S NEW CALL FOR ACTION. X
Powell speaks in Scarborough.
20 January Grace Road Among Seven Daubed With Slogans X
ANTI-APARTHEID ATTACK ON CRICKET GROUNDS.
Stop the 70 Tour and No Race in Sport written in Grace Road Gates.
27 January Sikhs Turban Gives Police A Headache. X
Traffic Warden forced to work in the office until he is allowed by law
to wear a turban on duty.
03 February Government Backing For More Coloured Police. X
Report says 19 Police Officers and 25 Special Constables in Britain.
08 April New PC May Wear Turban. X
Former Traffic Warden now Police Constable.
20 May We Press On To Stop The Tour - Hain. X
Peter Hain on anti-Springbok Campaign.
05 June 23 Immigrants Refused Entry. X
08 June Vote Labour Pakistanis Urged. X
1970 election held on 18 June. Heath Beats Wilson.
12 June Powell; Heath Calls For Evidence. X
All Parties Rap Enoch on Race Speech.
Wolverhampton speech by Powell.
02 July Immigrants: Police Say International Ring Involved. X
People smuggling case in Bradford.
07 July Indian Vigilantes Accused: They Want Revolution. X
Coverage of a split in the local IWA.
09 July 19 ‘Cellar Indians’ Fly Out Tomorrow at 19.00. X
Deportations after the Bradford people smuggling case.
10 August Black Power March – 18 Remanded. London march. X
01 September 100 Girls Try Out Indian Make-Up. X
Mehndi demonstration in Leicester Council for Community Relations
Tent at City of Leicester Show – Abbey Park.
16 November County Appeals For Pakistan X
IT COULD BE THE WORST EVER - 300,000 DEAD.
Flood appeals launched in City and Coalville – now Bangladesh.
17 November Police Told Of Cattle Truck X
IMMIGRANTS SPOTTED BY WOMAN – QC.
New Bradford illegal immigrant case.
18 November Pakistan Cyclone Victims. X
Picture story from Bangladesh (after 1971)
23 November Indian Here Illegally Fined £75. X
Local Court Case.
24 November Supplies Reach Disaster Areas X
STARVING CROWDS BEG FOR FOOD ON THEIR KNEES.
28 November Black Power Ultimatum to Police Chief: Double Police Pay Say X
Black Leaders.
To increase black recruitment.
30 November Two Face Migrants Plot. X
Birmingham immigration case.
11Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1971. Mercury Masthead: ‘Sale Exceeds 180,000 Copies A Day.’
Date Story Local Nat.
12 January Man Chased By West Indian With Axe. X
Magistrates case – Fine.
20 January Immigrant Concentration Explosive Warns MP. X
Tom Boardman on release of new figures on immigration The story
says, ‘warning comes after the release of figures that show Leicester
has the second highest percentage of immigrant children in primary
and secondary schools outside London’.
09 February 11 Pakistanis Rounded Up. X
Illegal immigrants in Kent.
08 March Migrant Bill: West Indians In Vigil. X
Demonstration outside the Home Office. NB: The 1971 Immigration
Act placed the burden of proof of citizenship with the individual … a
pre-curser of the Windrush scandal.
15 March Three Arrested At Immigration Bill Demo. X
21 April Shadya, From Tanzania, Wins Miss YMCA Heat. X
Leicester Polytechnic student (now DMU) studying pharmacy,
arrived in Britain in 1968.
22 April Walk Out By Asians in City Race Relations Split. X
Power struggle at Leicester Council for Community Relations. NB:
This dogged the organisation in the 1970s. See the organisation
Archive and the Marett Boxes (DE6314/1170) at the Record Office in
Wigston.
10 May PAKISTANI LEADER’S SHED BURNED: ‘IT’S A GRUDGE’. X
Fire in Evington. Linked the India / Pakistan / Bangladesh War.
26 May More Asians To Be Allowed In. X
Increase in immigration vouchers from 1500 to 4000.
14 June HINDU-MUSLIM PAIR BACK TO FACE THE MUSIC. X
Gretna-Green love match wedding.
02 August BLACK POWER CLUB ‘USED FOR DRUG PARTIES’. X
Cannabis parties held in Laurel Road, Highfields. Flat linked to the
Black Peoples Liberation Army.
06 August Parties Were To Raise Funds – Black Power Claim. X
Case includes claims of illegal alcohol sales.
18 August TWO ACCUSED OF MIGRANT CHARGES. X
Lincolnshire light aircraft used for people smuggling.
15 September ‘Homes Problem Could Be Test’: X
DISPERSE THE MIGRANTS CALL BY MPs.
Parliamentary Report. NB: Mercury Comment: ‘They forecast that
the next ten years will be a testing time for race relations, as children
born here to migrants make telling comparisons. We have also made
this point about the crunch coming in the second generation’.
18 October WEST INDIAN ACCUSED OF FIRE RAISING. X
Bradford story.
08 November TORMENTED MIGRANT TO DEATH. X
Trial of Police Officers in the David Oluwale death.
29 November Migrant Racket: Police Name Two. X
London case of light aircraft based people smuggling.
14 December Appeal Over Indian Succeeds: COLOUR BAR IN CLUBS X
ILLEGAL SAY JUDGES.
East Ham Conservative Club, London. 1968 Race Relations Act
Case.
12Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1972. Ugandan Asian ‘Crisis”. In January unemployment reaches one million.
Date Story Local Nat.
18 April NATIONAL FRONT MAN NOT ELIGIBLE – LABOUR. X
Ronald Silverwood the NF candidate in Newton Ward is a Council
Painter and therefore not eligible to stand says Labour. Says he will
give up job if elected.
NB: 7 Communists and 6 NF candidates standing. Anthony Reed-
Herbert stands for the Tories in North Braunstone. Election 4 May.
06 June ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF MONDAY CLUB. X
Johnathan Guinness, County Cllr. and Chairman of Bosworth
Conservatives. NB: Monday Club very anti-immigration and EEC.
11 August Mercury Comment Piece on Ugandan Crisis. n/a n/a
WHY WE MUST SAY NO.
‘use the money paid to Uganda in Aid to repatriate the Ugandan
Asians to their original homelands in India and Pakistan and help
them to build new lives there’.
14 August Uganda Asians: Plan To Halt Influx Threat. X
16 August 1. Asians are offered 1,000 homes in Leicester. X X
‘Leicester’s Asian community can offer homes’
2. Powell’s Warning – Page 20.
17 August Mercury Comment Piece on Ugandan Crisis. n/a n/a
‘This city has an integration task which is even now being tackled too
slowly. We say task rather than problem’. But if the immigrant flow
increases … ‘the task would rapidly become a problem’.
19 August 1. Asians unwelcome unless City is given Aid – Labour Leader. XX
Interview with Edward Marston City Council Leader.
2. Page 4 Letters and Johnathon Guinness reminder to Heath of
Election Pledge.
Story on Ugandan Crisis and PM. Heaths’ pledge not to let Ugandan
Asians into Britain. Backed by letters and Guinness of Monday Club.
NB: Page 4 Letters; A Reed-Herbert, Chairman of South Leicester
Conservatives, ‘Sheer and utter lunacy to cram in thousands more
immigrants’. John Bloxham, IRSC (Inter-Racial Solidarity Group),
‘Likely to prove a great asset’.
21 August Asians – ‘Not Just Counters On A Board’: Heath. X
22 August Prepare Now To Help Asians – City Tories. X
Tory group on City Council attacks Labours ‘wait and see’ policy.
23 August Top Talks in City on Asians. X
City Council Meeting.
24 August SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS ASIANS. X
City Tories – ‘one of the most serious emergencies the city has ever
faced’.
25 August ASIANS HERE PENILESS – PLEA FOR AID. X
City Council make case to government for more funding.
26 August 1. WELCOME TO LEICESTER – Booklet For Asians. XXX
Published by the British Asian Welfare Society.
2. Petitions Mount.
Mercury report .. ‘thousands are organising street petitions to stop
Ugandan Asians from coming to Britain’. Interview with Mrs. June
Rich, Palmerston Boulevard – NB: middle class Knighton.
3. I won’t be burden says first man to arrive.
Mr. Babulal Thaker and son Deenesh.
13Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1972 Continued
Date Story Local Nat.
29 August 1. 70 Asians Bound For Leicester. X X
15% of 500 incoming Asians state their destination as Leicester.
2. Britain Freezes Uganda Aid.
30 August City Asian Leader Slams Resettlement Board. X
31 August WHITHALL TOLD: LEICESTER IS FULL UP. X
City Council delegation meets government Ministers.
01 September ‘WELCOME ASIANS’ – APPEAL. X
Head of Uganda Board for City, Rev. Ken Middleton, (a City
Councillor and Vicar of St Matthews).
02 September ‘Don’t Go To Leicester’ X
Labour City Council Places Adverts in the Uganda Press.
NB: See C4 News Story from ‘Immigration Nation’ Series;
https://www.channel4.com/news/immigration-leicester-ugandan-
asians-darshna-soni
04 September UGANDA BOARD CHIEFS TO VISIT LEICESTER IN TOUR X
OF CITY.
Resettlement Board comes to Leicester.
Page 4 Cartoon: Shows Asian Shopkeeper up a stepladder writing
Enoch Powell on his shop. Two white passers-by say ‘People don’t
realise .. some of them are very much like ourselves’.
07 September Aid Asians’ Appeal was too flippant’. X
In-house NALGO (National association of Local Government
Officers) at County Hall leaked to the Mercury. Calls for members to
put up Asians in their spare rooms.
10 September 1. 68 Asians arrive – all found homes. XX
These were private homes but locals may have thought the headline
suggested they had been found Council houses.
2. Leicester Can Take Them.
Labour ‘rebels’ against Council stance.
11 September COUNTY’S CHURCH HALLS READY FOR THE X
REFUGEES.
Leicestershire Social Services ready to receive 1,000 Asians.
14 September 1. CENTRE FOR 1,000 ASIANS TO BE SET UP AT US AIR X X
BASE.
Newbery, Berkshire.
2. 1,800 SIGN PETITION ON IMMIGRANTS.
Set up by Blaby ‘housewives’.
16 September ‘We’re willing to take on Asians’ – Council Rebels. X
Mercury interview the 9 Labour rebels who oppose ‘keep Asians out’
approach of the Labour City Council.
18 September 193 ASIANS FLY IN: But few head of Leicester. X
19 September Check Refugees Health – Warning to City Doctors. X
21 September LOUGHBORO’ TO PUT ASIANS IN SLUMS. X
Council to use condemned properties to house refugees.
22 September Asian youngsters given home by Education Chief. X
Chris Crowe, Head of Department of Adult Education at Burleigh.
26 September BUILD-UP IN AIRLIFT FROM UGANDA. X
28 September 54 ASIANS IN LEICESTER SO FAR. X
04 October City has 350 Asians already: 1,000 Expected. X
14Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1972 Continued
Date Story Local Nat.
05 October Youth ‘did not want Pakis’ – set fire to house. X
Youth sets fire to front door of Indian neighbours while drunk. Gets 3
years on probation. Prosecution QC, ‘It was bad enough having
‘Pakis’ in the same street, but it was the final straw that they should
come to live next door to him’.
10 October OLD SCHOOL TO BE OPENED FOR ASIANS. X
Belper Street, Leicester. 700 Asians in Leicester.
11 October Leader hits out as Asian count nears thousand. X
947 here (by mid-day today). British Asian Welfare Society unhappy
with the Resettlement Board.
12 October BID TO TAKE STING OUT OF POWELL ATTACK. X
Motion pout to Tory Conference congratulating the government on
its handling of the Ugandan situation. Number coming to Britain
smaller than feared.
13 October Cheap Flats for Asians is Racialism. X
Middlesbrough story. But Blaby man writes to Harborough MP John
Farr about it.
16 October BRITAIN WILL NOT TAKE STATELESS ASIANS – X
OFFICIAL.
19 October 1. New ‘emergency’ school planned for Asians. XXX
2. When Will We Be Paid – MPs Asks Minister.
Tom Bradley and Greville Janner ask Robert Carr (Home Sec.) to
speed up payments to Leicester.
3. UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES ‘ON THE MEND’.
Down from 5,326 – 4,866 (9% drop) – despite 361 Asians signing on.
20 October ASIANS GET BEST STALLS – CHARGE IN MARKET ROW. X
Market traders say City Council over-reacted to a petition by Asian
traders.
24 October 1. IT COULB BE 4,000 ASIANS FOR LEICESTER. XX
Analysis of trends from those leaving transit camps. 1,761 in
Leicester already..
2. Graffiti Picture.
24 yard long graffiti appears on Highfields Wall; ‘BUILD A
HEAVEN IN HELL BLACK AND WHITE UNITE’.
27 October 1. Village Welcome for 130 Weary Asians. XX
Shropshire Settlement Camp.
2. Anti-Immigrant Vote Shock.
Cyril Smith (Lib) wins Rochdale by-election – but Anti- Immigration
candidate gets 4,000 votes.
30 October 1. Club Men in Race Row Boycott. XX
WMC boycott Everards beer. They say Brewery wants to replace
white tenant with black one in Highfields.
2. Pickets Bounce Car in Factory Clash.
Mansfield Hosiery Mills - all but one of the pickets are Asian.
02 November GRANTS TO HELP ASIANS NOT BIG ENOUGH – CLAIM. X
City Council to Government.
03 November 1. Asians Need House – Tenants get notice. XX
Private house required to help owners siblings.
2. More Help – or locals will suffer.
City Council to Government.
08 November More Cash For Asians Call To Whitehall. X
City Council to Government.
15Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1972 Continued
Date Story Local Nat.
16 November HOSIERY UNION BROKE RACE RELATIONS ACT SAY X
BOARD.
Mansfield Hosiery Mills (MHM) strike – discrimination against
Asian workers.
17 November Asians Storm Out. X
MHM strike.
18 November Professionals said to be manipulating strike by coloured workers. X
MHM Strike.
01 December Union Chiefs Meet over Mansfield’s Works Strike. X
National Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers.
07 December Tory Leader Hits Back At Bishop Over Asians. X
Bishop of Leicester speaking in House of Lords against City Council
policy; ‘such a very hostile line to the reception of Ugandan Asians
… risks giving Leicester a name throughout the world as the most
inhospitable of cities’. Kenneth Bowder (Tory Group Leader) ‘there
is no question whatever of Leicester being hostile or lacking in
generosity’.
14 December RACE BOASRD IS ACCUSED OF ‘ACTS CONTRARY TO X
JUSTICE’.
Hosiery union leader at Government Inquiry into MHM strike.
19 December LEICESTER GETS £30,000 OFFER TO HELP ASIANS. X
Govt. cash to City Council
20 December EVERYONE ‘AT FAULT’ IN MANSFIELD STRIKE. X
Government Inquiry into MHM strike.
22 December Mansfield Strike – Back to work on Jan 2nd hope. X
29 December 500 Asians End 9 Week Dispute At Hosiery Firm. X
30 December Peace At Mill – but how long will it last? X
Claims of ‘a handful of racialists on Union Executive’.
16Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1973
Date Story Local Nat.
04 January Extremists Told To Keep Away From Gates. X
Enoch Powell Support Group outside Mansfield Hosiery Mills
(MHM).
05 January WHITE KNITTERS STRIKE IN NEW ROW AT MANSFIELD X
MILL.
Refusing to work with Asian trainees – suggests ‘they work on their
own’.
24 January Time To CALL Halt To Mass Immigration Says Bosworth MP. X
Adam Butler – Tory MP for Bosworth.
27 January We Will Not Surrender Knitting Jobs. X
Asian worker at MHM.
09 February City Heads Provincial Immigrant Pupil Chart. X
15% of children in City schools – highest proportion outside London.
23 February Delightful Case Of Coals To Newcastle. X
Asian and Turkish immigrants set up Turkish Delight factory in City.
03 March City Gets An Asian Luggage Problem. X
12 lost cases for Ugandan Asians at Community Centre in Leicester.
05 March ‘FRONT’ MAN IS VICTIM OF BOMB THREAT. X
Ronald Silverwood NF candidate in Newton Ward. Wife is also a
member.
NB: For potential bombers the Mercury prints their address! 28
Barbara Road, Rowley Fields.
02 May Asian Girls Too Quiet in Class Say Teachers. X
31 May Asian Girls Too Silent in Class. X
National Union of Women Teachers report.
08 June Mercury Comment on City Election Results n/a n/a
Relief at Failure of NF.
‘Hate is not patriotism and persecution is not policy. The Front would
have nothing to offer the Town Hall except a totally divisive and
destructive force. The voters of Leicester – sometimes erroneusly
portrayed as racial bigots – have shown they difference between
politics and vicious polemics.
09 June National Front ‘mystified’ by allegation: Apologies for Tea X
Pouring.
Allegation an NF member deliberately poured tea ion to an Indian
councillors coat.
11 June City Gets First Immigrant Councillor. X
Krinalal Shah. NF pour tea down his coat.
12 June KENYAN’S DEATH: TWO ACCUSED OF MURDER. X
Local court case.
01 August Indian ‘kicked to death’ outside Leicester club. X
Court Case.
10 August Asians in Lorry – Driver charged. X
France
15 August ‘Immigrants on trailer’ Starts Hunt. X
France
17 August 26 Asians Held Aboard Trawler. X
Holland.
21 August Migrants: 5 Men Charged. X
Great Yarmouth.
07 September Asians Exploited by own countrymen. X
Excessive rents in Leicester.
17Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1973 – continued.
Date Story Local Nat.
21 September CITY IMMIGRANT BIRTHS DOUBLE IN FIVE YEARS. X
Report by City Registrar.
26 September No ‘Playing Down’ Immigrants in School Problem. X
City Director of Education (Tony Davis) Annual Report.
06 October Fracas At Religious Festival. X
Fighting between local religious groups at a Hindu event held at a
school in Wigston
23 November CITY REVOLT ON MIGRANT COUNT. X
Education Secretary (Mrs Thatcher announces the dropping of the
collection of statistics on immigrant schoolchildren, City Council not
happy as it uses the numbers to get more funding.
31 December ‘DEATH LIST OF JEWS’ WARNING. X
Joseph Sieff (M&S) shot in London.
18Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1974: Leicester Mercury gets a new Editor in February, Neville Stack.
Imperial Typewriters strike of 500 Asian workers.
Date Story Local Nat.
13 February You Can’t Compare Us Says Enoch’s Successor. X
Nicholas Budgen Tory candidate in Powell’s Wolverhampton seat.
11 April Some Illegal Immigrants Can Stay. X
Labour government statement.
29 April 600 Strike At Mansfield Mill Over £70 Girl. X
Ravinder Kaur earned £70 on piecework, ‘the fastest linker in the
west’.
01 May Intimidation Charge In Imperial Strike. X
02 May No Colour Bar On Job Chances Asians Told – Imperial. X
06 May Asian Strikers Reject MPs Peace Plan. X
Imperial.
08 May More Ready To Back You, Asians in Dispute Told. X
09 May 6 Point Plan For Imperial Strike Talks. X
10 May Fear Of ‘Racial Backlash’ Over Imperial Strike. X
George Bromley union official.
13 May Jobs Cut-Back Fear As Asians’ Strike Goes On. X
15 May ‘Ignore Dismissal Warnings’ Imperial Strikers Urged. X
16 May Violence – But 125 Imperial Strikers Go Back. X
17 May Imperial Strikers’ March Success. X
20 May No Discrimination At Imperial Says Asian. X
Interview with Pravin Tamur from Kenya.
22 May Racial Probe At Imperial Will Be Welcomed. X
29 May Race Board Snubbed By Strikers. X
30 May Imperial: 9 Held In Battle With Police. X
9 Asians arrested.
31 May Workers ‘We Fear For Our Safety’. X
Pickets accused of intimidating those still working at Imperial.
01 June POLICE CALLED TO STORE PICKETING. X
Picket of store on Melbourne Road said to be refusing to employ
black staff.
04 June Imperial Dispute Means Extra Days For 600. X
Workers in Hull factory doing extra work to cover for strikers in
Leicester.
07 June Union Secretary Rejects Claims Over Imperial. X
Union accused of racism.
11 June RACE DANGERS: FIRMS AND UNIONS WARNED. X
Report by Commission on Industrial Relations into the MHM strike.
18 June ‘Progress’ In Peace Talks At Imperial. X
19 June Big Companies Face Colour Bar Probe. X
Race Relations Board.
26 June Imperial Talks Fail To Settle Dispute. X
28 June Immigrants: MP Hits At ‘Lack Of Consultation’. X
Tom Boardman on govt. plans.
29 June City Likely To Get Only 100 Asians. X
Immigration Rule Changes by Govt. Comments by local Asian
leaders.
12 July Strike Vote Over ‘Vicious’ Asians. X
Imperial.
15 July Peace Hopes In Imperial Strike X
19Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1974 Continued.
Date Story Local Nat.
16 July Crucial Talks In Imperial Peace Bid. X
18 July Imperial’s 450 Asians To Return. X
24 July Company Sack 30 Women In Pay Dispute – All Asian. X
Kenilworth Components, Leicester.
26 July Women Paid £12 For 42 Hour Week – Claim. X
Tom Boardman writes to Dept. of Employment about wage levels in
Leicester.
30 July NO DISCRIMINATION AT IMPERIAL – RACE BOARD. X
Race Relations Board.
Mercury Comment: ‘The Board did find that are deficiencies in
communication between immigrants and management, and between
unions and rank and file Asians’.
01 August Race Chief Hits Back At Negativity Charge. X
10 August DEMO MARCHES TO GO AHEAD AT SAFE DISTANCE. X
NF and IRSC to march outside Imperial factory on 28 August. Police
did not seek to ban the marches.
13 August NF March Ban – ‘Up To Police’. X
Race Relations Minister.
24 August £20,000 OPERATION TO KEEP PEACE IN DEMOS. X
28 August Demos Were A Triumph For Police Action. X
Mercury Comment: ‘Of the 700 marchers no more than a third
were from Leicester, this was a national march. The Mercury called
for national funding for the policing. ‘So those that called for the
banning of the march out of fear of the consequences have been
proved wrong. They had to be to prevent attempts to spread
censorship by intimidation.
17 October 1. There’s No Colour Bar in Leicester WMCs. XX
2. New Look At Integration Of Immigrant Workers
26 October TURBANS ROW HALTS A CITY’S BUSES. X
Leeds.
05 November Imperial: Six Found Guilty. X
Six of seven. Asians accused of offences during picketing at Imperial
found guilt.
03 December Asian Vina Joins The Force. X
Picture story featuring Vina Shahi who at 17 joins Leicestershire
Police as the ‘first coloured Policewoman.’
09 December Armed Gang Wreck City Store: 6 Hurt. X
Gang of 20 Asians youths attack Ajanta clothing store on Belgrave
Road.
20Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1975: Imperial Typewriter Closure and Unemployment Rises to post war record in city.
Date Story Local Nat.
13 January BROTHERS STABBED IN ARGUMENT AT LEICESTER X
DISCO.
Fusion Disc in Lee Circle. Police looking for a gang of 5 Asians.
17 January 1,000 MAY LOSE JOBS AT IMPERIAL FEAR. X
Story mentions the strike but not that strikers were Asian.
18 January UNION CHIEF STORMS AT IMPERIAL ‘INCOMPETANCE’. X
Imperial Typewriter to close in 5 weeks. Production moves to Hull.
NB: Mercury Comment.
IT’S A HUMAM PROBLEM.
‘We have to get rid of the myths. The closure, say the company, can’t
be blamed on the strike by Asian workers. So, don’t blame these
people’. ‘It’s an acute human problem. It needs to be faced with
humanity and compassion, and anyone who tries to make a political
(or even worse) a racial issue of it should be given no support at all’.
20 January ‘SAVE IMPERIAL’ DRIVE HOPELESS – WARNING. X
27 January LITTLE HOPE FOR IMPERIAL AFTER LONDON TALKS. X
31 January CONSULTANTS TO LOOK INTO IMPERIAL’S PROSPECTS. X
07 February Union Puts Its ‘Save Imperial Jobs’ Proposal. X
22 February IMPERIAL: NOW IT’S A BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL. X
Between Leicester and Hull Factories of US owner Lytton Industries.
24 February UNION PLEA: SUPPORT ‘SAVE IMPERIAL’ DRIVE. X
03 March TORY ‘AGAINST BAN’ BAN ON IMMIGRANTS. X
TUC Conference passes a motion urging the Labour government to
stop all immigration until the economy recovers. Former Tory City
Councillor, Mrs Margaret Wilson quoted in local reaction to story ..
‘Most Indians are natural Conservatives … but say we won’t vote for
you because you want us out’.
04 March TORY LEADER QUITS OVER ‘WEST AFRICAN’ SPEECH. X
Margaret Wilson (as above) said she had both West Africans and a
policeman as neighbours – and preferred the West Africans.
13 March Asian Overcrowding: A Call For Action.
Spinney Hill Conservative Association report. Survey of electoral roll
suggests 5.1 per house – more than double the national average.
Brian Lockley (Sec.) ‘all immigration should be banned’.
05 April Britain’s Period Of Immigration To Be Ended. X
Govt. Minster speech in Birmingham. The end of immigration is in
sight.
09 April Colour Bar At Tory Club – Claims X
Nuneaton.
13 May ASIAN GROUP BUYS ODEON CINEMA. X
Adnands Ltd buys Market Place – Owns one on Green Lane Road.
02 July Premier Told: Leicester Could Be A Depressed Area. X
Decline of Hosiery and Knitwear.
29 July Fake Band May Be Deported After Court Fines. X
Illegal immigration story – includes two Leicester people.
11 October FORGED DOCUMENTS: CITY MAN ON £1,000 BAIL. X
Dr Patel accused of faking certificates.
13 November Palais ‘Colour Bar’ Row Flares. X
19 December Leicester Asian Cannot Stay – Tribunal Rules. X
From Tanzania.
21Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1976: National Front get 18.5% of the vote in City Election in May.
Date Story Local Nat.
31 January No Home Office Help For Man In Race Protest. X
Peter Ash (Leicester NF Branch Secretary) complained to the Race
Relations Board about a Met Police Ad to encourage black recruits.
25 March FRONT PLAN TO MARCH ON SOCCER D-DAY. X
City were to play Man. Utd at home on 24 April the last day of the
season. Away of encouraging football hooligans to join the march.
26 March 1. FRONT MARCH SWITCHED FROM CITY. XX
2. Scandalous Racism in City – Claim.
Confederation of Indian Organisations..
29 March One Man In Hospital After Late Night Attacks On Asians. X
Attacks in Belgrave.
12 April IMMIGRANTS IN MAFIA RACKETS, UNIONS TOLD. X
Bob Jones of Leicester NUPE quoted at Regional TUC meeting;
‘some immigrant workers are having to pay other coloured workers
£2 a week to keep their jobs against all sorts of threats against their
families in our area’.
NB: Mercury Comment.
BLACK MAFIA MYSTERY.
‘Now it us up to these people who are being exploited to stand up and
be counted. And to give evidence to unions and police to enable
prosecutions to take place’.
22 April ASIAN FACTORY BOSSES FLOUT THE LAW. X
Comments by Frank Butler of Leicester at the Co-Operative party
Conference in Plymouth.
NB: Mercury Comment.
‘Home from the conference he cannot produce a single case to
substantiate his remark. Problems concerning immigrants should not
be used as platform propaganda, especially when they can only be
counter-productive to racial harmony’.
04 May Hotel Asians say. ‘We need £115 handout’. X
Malawi Asians housed in hotel at Gatwick Airport.
07 May Tories Gain Control of Leicester – Results. X
NF gains 18.5% of the vote failing by 24 votes to win a seat on
Abbey Ward.
07 May Race Man Jailed For Contempt. X
Robert Relf advertised his house in Birmingham to whites only.
Became a ‘cause-celebre’ in the newspapers. See Page 4 letters.
NB: Mercury Comment on Leicester election results.
SWING WITH A STING.
‘All the major parties in Leicester must be a little thoughtful about
the votes cast for the National Front who, while not winning a single
seat, had some healthy returns in many wards. Clearly they are never
going to be a real influence in the Town Hall the message of the
measure of their support is that there is a sizeable minority not
satisfied with the way the immigrant problems are being tackled’.
08 May Illegal Immigrants: Sack Jenkins Call. X
Roy Jenkins, Home Secretary.
21 May Race: Stand Up And Be Counted. X
Call for political leaders to stand-up against discrimination and the
NF.
25 May City Call To Stop Illegal Immigration. X
Local Asian leaders.
22Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1976: Continued. Unemployment continues to rise: 14,759 in August.
Date Story Local Nat.
07 June 1. DEMO AS RELF STAYS IN JAIL INDEFINITELY. XX
March in Birmingham including Leicester NF supporters.
2. ASIANS ‘SEEK PROTECTION’ AFTER FESH VIOLENCE.
London.
21 June RELF FREED: ‘LAW IS MERCIFUL’, SAYS JUDGE. X
09 July Battle Over Clubs In Race Bill Marathon. X
Tories in Parliament oppose the banning of colour bars in private
clubs.
16 September Coloured PCs Needed. X
Leicestershire Police in recruitment drive.
16 October Relf Greeted By Jeers In Demo Against Front. X
Robert Relf visits NF meeting in Leicester.
22 October P.25. n/a n/a
Two Jostled By Pickets Before Radio Debate.
Demonstration outside BBC Radio Leicester as a debate takes place
including Anthony Reed-Herbert of the National Front. Picket
quoted; ‘the reason for the protest was that a radio debate gave the
National Front credibility and respectability’. Station Manager,
Owen Bentley; ‘The policy of the Inter-Racial Solidarity Campaign
(IRSC) dissuading hoteliers and publicans from allowing the
National Front to hold meetings on their premises is a matter of
legitimate debate’.
NB: This was also the week in which BBC Radio Leicester launched
its five nights a week Asian programme in English.
15 November NF MAN IN CLASH WITH SCHOOL HEAD. X
Uplands Infants School, Leicester. A Reed-Herbert of the NF asked
to leave the playground while filming an item on immigration with a
Swiss TV crew. Head Clifton ‘Robbie’ Robinson quoted; ‘he said he
was not going to leave. It was I who should leave he said, because I
was a black immigrant and I should not be in this country’.
30 November Leicester Leads The Way On Equal Opportunities. X
Final report of the Race Relations Board before it is replaced by the
CRE.
NB: Mercury Comment.
THE REAL IMAGE.
‘In the past Leicester has been portrayed as a city of racial tension.
The efforts of a few lunatics of the left and right have been used as an
unfair barometer of general attitudes. The authors of the report have
clearly talked to the ordinary people of all races, who live their lives
in an atmosphere free from acrimony’.
21 December Youngsters Bridge The Gap. X
20 Asian pupils from Moat Infant School sing Christmas carols at a
nearby Old Folks Home.
23Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1977
Date Story Local Nat.
18 January Picture Story (with a caption) X
‘Clifton Robinson, Leicester’s first coloured headteacher appointed
full time deputy to new Chairman of the CRE’
22 January USE THE LAW TO SILENCE POWELL. X
Local reaction to speech by the Ulster Unionist MP on the prospect
of a racial civil war in Britain.
10 February IMMIGRANTS REGISTER WOULDN’T SOLVES PROBLEM X
SAY MPs.
Local Tory MPs (Nigel Lawson – Blaby and Adam Butler –
Bosworth) respond to the Franks Report suggesting a register of
immigrants.
14 February NF Man Quits: ‘Public Being Conned’. X
Terry Verity local NF Chairman and National Directorate Member
quits the party with his wife and local member Fred Turner. They
allege they were told not to look too closely at the background of
election candidates,
19 April Tory Switches To National Front. X
Francis Wykes a prospective County Councillor for Hinckley.
08 May Front Flops In County Landslides. X
Election coverage of County Council Election (including the City).
NB: Mercury Comment.
THE NEW RULERS.
‘… But the heartening news from the counting stations – and one
that gave victors and vanquished alike delight – was the rout of the
National Front. The people who matter – the people of town and
county – have rejected their alien philosophy. But their extremist
propaganda has served a useful purpose. The problems of
immigration must be faced and solved by reason and compassion, not
wide-eyed idealism or cynical exploitation by agitators. We must not
be deceived our problems have disappeared. We have merely won
time to solve them’.
09 July Immigrant Pupils Get A New Taste Of Britain. X
July fortnight and a holiday camp.
03 August Think Tank Proposals ‘Could Improve Immigrant Vetting’. X
National report welcomed by Leicester Community Relations
Officer.
13 August 4,000 Police Ready In NF March Siege. X
New Cross in London …. Including 50 local NF members.
15 August 1. LEFT WING SAY: WE’LL PREVENT FRONT RALLY. X X
Birmingham march.
2. City NF Official is injured in Lewisham battle.
(Alan Gresham, Leicester Branch Press Officer).
19 August NF Candidate Hit At By-Election Count. X
Anthony Reed Herbert the Leicester NB Branch Organiser stands in
Ladywood by-election in Birmingham. Beat the Liberal Party into 4th
but only received 5.75% of the vote. See pic at
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/national-front-
meeting-city-road-school-winston-green-news-photo/912528510
25 August I May Quit Says Front Man After Shotgun Blast. X
Reed Herbert on gun attack at his brothers shop in Newmarket.
13 September Unions Plan Demo Over NF March. X
Manchester
24Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1977 Continued.
19 September MP In Battle To Stop Student Deportation. X
Jim Marshal (Lab – Leicester South) Malawi Asian student has
parents and five siblings living in Leicester legally.
17 October UNION THREATENS TO EXPEL NF MEMBERS. X
ATMS (Association of Technical and Managerial Staff now part of
Unison). First to be expelled is David Dunn the NF Press Officer for
Leicester.
24 October March To Fight NF Says MP. X
Jim Marshall at Unity Against Racialism Rally in Spinney Hill Park.
30 November IMMIGRANT AMNESTY ‘WILL SAVE BLACKMAIL’. X
View of Dr. A. Sayeed of the Standing Conference of Asian
Organisations in Leicester.
NB. Mercury Comment.
‘Why should we care about the plight of criminals on the run? They
are a disgrace to their fellow Asians who are striving to be accepted
in the community’.
01 December IMIGRANT AMNESTY: REACTION. X
MP Jim Marshall comments on the Mercury Comment (above); ‘the
article was “disgraceful”. Its effect would be to arouse racial tension
in the city. He added that the “savage and provocative tome” of the
article was quite unjustified since only a handful of people were
involved’.
25Liam McCarthy, HYPIR, University of Leicester. May 2021
Leicester Mercury Front Pages.
Front page stories featuring Immigration, Race, or Ethnic Minorities.
1978
Date Story Local Nat.
07 January Race Laws Chief Acts Over Acquittal. X
David Lane (Head of CRE) meeting the Attorney General over
speech by John Kingsley Read (former Chairman of the NF who left
and founded the National party). Quotes include; ‘niggers, wogs and
coons’, which was judged not to have infringed the Race Relations
Act.
13 January No Action On “Niggers Case” Judge. X
03 February High Speed Dash Saves Life Of Baby. X
Human interest story of ‘Indian’ family in Belgrave.
04 February ASIANS SLAMMED FOR WHITELAW PICKETING. X
Visit and speech in Loughborough by Shadow Home Secretary Will
Whitelaw.
17 February DON’T LET AMIN INTO BRITAIN SAYS CITY MP. X
Greville Janner (Lab – Leicester West). Amin still President of
Uganda.
25 February TOWN OF FEAR PUTS UP THE BARRICADES. X
Ilford By-election, Essex, NF electioneering. (NF came fourth)
11 March 150 PICKET LONE NF SELLER. X
Town Hall Square in Leicester.
18 March RACIALISM TARNISHES OUR IMAGE – DR. OWEN. X
Foreign Secretary in speech to students at Leicester Polytechnic.
20 March WIZARD IS DEPORTED: ‘RECRUITS IN SYSTON’. X
KKK Leader is deported from Britain. Syston based lecturer suggests
there are two recruits in Syston.
21 March Race Report: ‘Second Class Citizens’ Fear. X
Indian Workers Association in Leicester respond to national report.
30 March Race Posters Plastered On Offices. X
The offices of the Leicester Council for Community Relations are hit
by British Race Defence League posters.
04 April Students Pick First Black Leader. X
NUS members vote for Trevor Philips.
12 April Mrs. Thatcher Faces Row Over Racialism. X
On a visit to Loughborough University she says; ‘ Lies will be told –
we will be accused of racism’.
NB: The World In Action ‘swamping’ interview on 27 January 1978.
07 May IMMIGRATION: TORIES TO BE ‘TOUGH BUT FAIR’. X
Whitelaw in Leicester at meeting of National Union of Conservative
Associations.
02 June Murder Hunt Pledge By City Asians. X
Local murder case.
16 June CITY SLAM FIGURES ON HOMES AND MIGRANTS. X
Figures issued to City Council by Whitehall show Leicester has
28,705 New Commonwealth Immigrants. But figures based on 1971
census don’t include Ugandan Asians and community growth. Local
estimates are 40-45,000. City Council figures in the 1983 Survey of
Leicester put it at 63,000.
15 July NO VIGILANTE GROUPS IN LEICESTER ASIANS. X
Local reaction to calls in London for ‘self-defence’ groups.
20 July City Tories Welcome Whitelaw Race Blast – Claims Labour Is X
Stirring Up Racial Tension.
Tory Agent for Leicester ‘ our policies are realistic and fair … we
are actually trying to protect the immigrants who are already here’.
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