Description:From the end of the war, the effects of black migration remained a constant concern for both Conservative and Labour governments. Disturbances in Notting Hill and Nottingham in 1958, the development of fascist groups together with the shortage of housing and the costs of healthcare and education were problems that the government hoped to solve by imposing restrictions on immigration, instead of prioritising anti-racist legislation. The Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 removed the right of British subjects to automatic entry to Britain; it was the first step in closing the door on black migrants and establishing racial inequality in the operation of the law.
Whilst the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 established the employment voucher scheme and the 1965 White paper on Immigration reduced the number of vouchers available to migrants, it was the 1971 Immigration Act which demonstrated the explicit operation of a 'colour bar' in British law. The 1971 Act rested on the concept of 'patriality' which meant that only those with direct personal or ancestral connections with Britain had the right to live here. 'Coloured' immigration was thus virtually halted although the right of entry for many ('white') citizens of the 'old' Commonwealth such as Australia and Canada was retained.
Many migrant and anti-racist organisations gathered to oppose the legislation and mounted vociferous attacks in the form of pamphlets and demonstrations. You can read more about this in 'Campaigns for Social Justice.'
This flyer for a lobby organised by the Afro-Asian Caribbean Conference demanded the withdrawal of the bill that was to become the 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act. It called on Commonwealth migrants to a protest in London, wearing either their national dress or work uniforms. Significantly, the flyer refers to the proposed legislation as the Colour Bar Bill, a term which was common at the time since many felt that the bill would designate a lower status to black citizens and would therefore enshrine the discriminatory treatment of black people in Britain's legal system.
Link to 'Campaigns for Social Justice.'
Author: Sarah Dar