The appointment of Vaghan Gething, a black immigrant from Zambia, as Prime Minister of Wales signified a sweeping turnover in Britain’s government. The term Great Replacement refers to a contested theory claiming that white, native Europeans are being displaced by newcomers from Asia and Africa. This narrative has sparked intense debate across the political spectrum.
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Believers in the Great Replacement are often labeled as racists or xenophobes, and sometimes seen as living in a climate of paranoia. Yet research conducted by Savant for the BBC and King’s College London shows that about 32 percent of Britons acknowledge some form of replacement belief. The question then arises: does this sentiment extend to immigrants and their descendants, or is it confined to those who perceive threats among the local population? In other words, would a Zambian, an Iraqi, or a Kenyan living in England feel they are actively executing a grand replacement, or is this simply a perception held by native residents?
As the saying goes, just because someone is paranoid does not mean there isn’t truth behind the fears. This context brings back the case of Vaghan Gething, born in Zambia, who assumed the role of Prime Minister of Wales on March 16. In this sense, he joins a growing list of individuals with immigrant or descendant backgrounds who hold high office within Britain.
Today marks a turning point in the nation’s narrative. The moment is presented as a chance to write a future with renewed confidence, not merely because it marks the first Black leader in a European country, but also because it bridges a generation gap. This perspective was articulated in a speech following the Welsh parliament’s approval, commonly known as the Senedd.
Wales, alongside Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England, forms the four constituent nations of Great Britain. The current Prime Minister is Rishi Sunak, whose family roots trace back to Indian immigrants.
The First Minister of Scotland is Humza Yousaf, who is of Pakistani origin. Like London’s mayor Sadiq Khan, Yousaf positions himself as a devout Muslim and a vocal advocate for LGBTUK policies, including discussions around gender identity in youth. Across Britain’s major metropolitan centers, many mayors come from immigrant or second-generation backgrounds, signaling a broader integration into political leadership.
Some observers say the so-called “honor” of white Britons is preserved by female leadership in Northern Ireland, where joint governance with MEPs has been described in local media. A few weeks earlier, Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who hails from an Indian immigrant family, resigned after losing a constitutional referendum. The referendum framed the issue as a clash over family definitions and recognition of women’s traditional roles in family life.
Across the Irish Sea, the vote was seen by supporters and opponents alike as a dramatic moment—sometimes described as David vs. Goliath—over the direction of social policy in the republic.
The European capital of anti-Semitism
Speaking freely about these topics can invite accusations of racism or xenophobia, at times even legal risk within Britain. Yet some voices argue that London is contending with rising anti-Semitism, a view the Jewish Chronicle has reported as reflecting concerns about broader social trends.
Critics suggest that a blend of progressive activism and radical ideologies on the left, combined with certain strains of political Islam, has created tensions around identity and inclusivity. If the Great Replacement hypothesis holds any sway for some, they view it as a strategic alignment aimed at reshaping political and cultural norms in Britain.
The recent survey, which indicated that about a third of Britons entertain replacement beliefs, was conducted last April. One wonders how the landscape might have shifted by now, especially with a Welsh Prime Minister from Zambia drawing attention to questions of national identity and cultural roots. The concern many hold is whether Britain’s sense of national identity could drift away from its historical foundations, with long-standing cultural traditions becoming less visible over time.
Source: wPolityce