Charity labels immigration fears a 'manufactured panic' as poll reveals stark local vs national divide

2 days ago7 min read

A significant disconnect between local realities and national political narratives has been exposed by a new YouGov poll, with just over a quarter of Britons (26%) viewing immigration as a pressing local concern, while more than half see it as a critical national issue. A leading charity has characterized this disparity as a 'manufactured panic,' highlighting how political and media forces amplify anxieties that bear little relation to people's daily lived experiences.The data reveals a telling gap: while local priorities typically center on tangible issues like pothole repair, public transport, and school funding, the national conversation is disproportionately dominated by border control debates. This phenomenon was vividly illustrated in recent council byelections, where Reform UK secured two seats from Labour and an independent group.Analysts suggest these local contests were successfully framed by national messaging as referendums on immigration, allowing a single-issue party to capitalize on a broader, media-driven anxiety. The strategy is a familiar one in modern politics, where complex policy challenges are distilled into potent, emotional slogans that resonate in opinion polls.The current climate of economic uncertainty and housing shortages creates fertile ground for such narratives, despite evidence contradicting simplistic attributions of these problems to immigration. The consequence is a policy landscape increasingly skewed toward addressing perceived, rather than actual, public needs, diverting parliamentary attention and resources while further eroding public trust in institutions.

#lead focus news

#UK politics

#immigration poll

#council by-elections

#Reform UK

#YouGov

#local concerns