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Comments from the former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, that Islamists had taken control of the country have sparked outrage and are unveiling the deep problems of Islamophobia within the Conservative Party. Are there any truths behind the claims, and what are the repercussions?

Former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman recently made claim that ‘the Islamists, the extremists, and the antisemites are in charge now’ and ‘have bullied the Labour Party, they have bullied our institutions, and how they have bullied our country into submission’. 

These can be deemed as incredibly ignorant and inciteful remarks to make, especially in a context where Islamophobia is on the rise within the UK. However, Braverman has refused to recall or apologise for her remarks, arguing that she say the same words again, because the UK is becoming a “ghettoised society where free expression and British values are diluted”. 

Braverman made these remarks in the aftermath of the chaos that erupted over a Gaza ceasefire motion, which saw the Commons Speaker allowing a Labour amendment; this was seen to break the precedent, as amendments are usually accepted only after the first round of voting. It angered Members of Parliament, leading to walkouts, and eventually no vote on the motion. 

Tensions are high in the Commons, around the country, and the world right now in terms of the events occurring. These remarks simply add flames to the fire and create increasing divisions and resentment. 

The Conservatives are in deep water with their Islamophobic rhetoric not only with Braverman’s comments, but also with her support of Lee Anderson’s remarks. The former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party claimed that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan was ‘under the control of Islamists’. Anderson rightfully had the party whip removed, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned him for ‘unacceptable’ comments. 

However, no claims of Islamophobia have been made. The Prime Minister time and time again has denied any Islamophobic tendencies within the Conservative Party. Braverman agrees with this, claiming that: “We need to overcome the fear of being labelled Islamophobic and speak truthfully.” 

But when British Muslims who are hearing these claims and reading them on the daily news feel they are being attacked, why is this issue not being addressed? In fact, the largest Muslim body within Britain have called for the Conservatives to ‘launch an investigation into institutional islamophobia within its ranks’. 

However, what this would actually achieve is highly questionable. During Boris Johnson’s premiership, there was an investigation into Islamophobia; the 2020 investigation inquired into the level of anti-Muslim prejudice in the Conservative Party. However, it failed to really investigate anything. 

As the Guardian found: 

The report ‘”ails to recognise the institutional nature of Islamophobia in the party. It ignores the cultural issues amongst grassroots members, & how several members can make Islamophobic comments, and are indeed aided and abetted by a complaints system not fit for purpose“

4 years later, this is still an issue within the Conservative Party. And there is still a lack of understanding that these comments being made are Islamophobic. 

As Sadiq Khan states, this is a damaging signal that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment are acceptable. Islamophobic hate crimes have risen, with over 2000 cases in just the last 4 months. This includes incidents such as the one that took place this year, on 18 February, where a brick was thrown into a Muslim home in Blackburn, followed by a whole pig’s head – these are not isolated incidents. This, therefore, needs to be urgently addressed and has been allowed to go on for far too long. 

With the UK General Election fast approaching, what does this mean for the Conservative Party?

Political Analyst Peter Oborne has claimed that this is a “ruthless political calculation” from Sunak to deny any claims of Islamophobia within his party. He explains that minorities will be the scapegoat in the upcoming election, in the climate of a recession. So, whilst Rishi Sunak claims that the UK is “a proud multi-ethnic democracy, one of the most successful anywhere in the world“, it is clear the implications behind this are not completely true. 

Whilst marginalising British Muslims, the Conservative voter base is more appeased; does this reveal the deep underlying roots of the problem within UK politics today?