On Christmas day, discussing immigration is deemed as the most sensitive topic for British families, according to recent polling. While gathering for festive celebrations, many prefer to steer clear of conversations about politicians, the economy, and religion during their Christmas dinner.
A survey by Public First reveals that 43% of individuals aim to avoid discussing immigration during the holiday season, ranking it above avoiding political talks (39%), economic discussions (35%), and religious topics (33%). This avoidance tendency is particularly pronounced among older adults, with 51% of those aged 55-64 expressing a desire to sidestep conversations about immigration.
Across the political spectrum, the inclination to dodge the immigration topic is widespread. Liberal Democrat voters lead with 48% intending to avoid the subject, followed by Green voters (47%) and Reform voters (45%). Additionally, 42% of Labour voters and 39% of Tory supporters also plan to steer clear of discussing immigration.
The issue of immigration has become increasingly contentious in recent years, marked by protests outside asylum hotels and anti-immigration riots in response to specific incidents. Public First’s survey also found that approximately one-third (32%) of young individuals anticipate having disagreements with family members during Christmas gatherings.
Seb Wride, a partner at Public First and head of opinion research, noted the divergence between public conversations on immigration and those undertaken by politicians and the media. While individuals are becoming more vocal about their immigration views in research settings, these discussions have not yet permeated family conversations during the holiday season. Despite immigration being a prominent issue, societal divisions have not overtly manifested during the season of goodwill.