A recent poll revealed that discussing immigration is considered a sensitive topic for British families during their Christmas gatherings. As families unite for the festive season, many prefer to steer clear of conversations related to politicians, the economy, and religion while enjoying their Christmas meals.
According to new data from Public First, 43% of respondents expressed a desire to avoid discussing immigration during Christmas, ranking it as the top subject to avoid, surpassing discussions about politicians (39%), the economy (35%), and religion (33%). The preference to sidestep immigration discussions was notably higher among older individuals, with 51% of those aged 55-64 aiming to avoid this topic, the highest percentage across age groups.
Interestingly, the inclination to avoid discussing immigration was consistent across various political affiliations, with Liberal Democrat voters (48%) being the most likely to avoid the subject, followed by Green voters (47%) and Reform voters (45%). Among Labour voters, 42% mentioned they would avoid the topic, while 39% of Conservative voters shared the same sentiment.
The issue of immigration has become increasingly divisive in recent years, with notable incidents such as protests outside asylum hotels and anti-immigration riots following the Southport stabbings. Additionally, Public First’s research indicated that nearly a third (32%) of young people are prone to having arguments with their families during the Christmas period.
Seb Wride, a partner at Public First and head of opinion research, highlighted the disparity between public conversations on immigration and the reluctance to engage in such discussions within family settings. Despite an apparent rise in confidence among the public to express their views on immigration, particularly in research environments, this openness has not necessarily translated to family interactions during the festive season.