ISTANBUL, Turkiye

Britain’s new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is guilty of using exclusionary rhetoric against Muslims and “more discrimination” awaits the community under his rule, says British political scientist Muhammed Cagri Bilir.

Suella Braverman, Sunak’s handpicked Home Secretary, was criticized late last month for describing people seeking asylum in the country, often with darker skin and from Muslim countries, as an “invasion”. However, he stood by his position despite clearly xenophobic comments.

“When Sunak launched his campaign to become leader of the Conservative party (and become prime minister), he produced speeches that focused on fighting “Islamic extremism” and equating Islam with terrorism,” the University of Leeds School of Medicine and International Studies academic told Anadolu Agency.

“He was criticized for ignoring Muslim MPs’ demands to take a firm stand against Islamophobia,” he added.

Braverman and Sunak’s statements show the direction of the government’s immigration policy, Bilir stressed.

A 2019 study found that Islamophobia was widespread in the ruling Conservative Party, and Boris Johnson, who stepped down as prime minister in July, was known for making anti-Muslim comments.

“This will not change much under a Sunak government,” Bilir added, warning that in fact “we are entering a period where more discrimination awaits Muslims.”

See also: Former British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, the new Conservative leader and the country’s Prime Minister

“In the Sunak Government’s immigration approach, asylum seekers are categorized and differentiated as to whether they are truly escaping human rights violations or coming for purely economic reasons,” he explained.

“The validity of asylum applications for those arriving by boat, especially via France, is questionable,” he said.

The political scientist said those seeking asylum in Britain would be strictly vetted under the Rwanda plan, a controversial program announced by Johnson in April to send UK asylum seekers to the small African country while awaiting a decision.

On 24 October, Sunak replaced Liz Truss, Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister, who had been in office for just 44 days.

This new leader from India made history by becoming the first prime minister from Asia.

*Aicha Sandoval Alaguna contributed to the writing of this note.

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