Comment: Britain is not America, so how do we keep it that way?
Britons, despite their differing political views, share more in common than it might seem, even when politics feels deeply divided.
By Sunder KatwalaNov 19, 2024
Britain is not America. The diplomatic and economic consequences of US president-elect Donald Trump will present many headaches for the next year or four. But Trump’s victory will also make America feel a more distant society – politically at least. “Frankly, we need a British Trump. The question is who that individual might be,” Liz Truss said on a trip to New Delhi this week. It would seem hard to come up with a less popular message (or messenger) in Britain when this new Trump era in America promises to start with more chaos and cruelty than the last one.
I was reflecting on Britain and America in giving the Migration Museum’s annual lecture last week, exploring how the history of migration might influence the future. America has had a much clearer idea of itself as a “nation of immigrants” – symbolised by the Statue of Liberty. But that did not prevent Trump winning while pledging the biggest deportation effort in American history. Trump’s return strengthens the case for clear blue Transatlantic water - keeping a distance from America’s culture wars as we navigate our own identity challenges in a changing Britain.
Guardian columnist Rafael Behr, chairing the lecture, noted that 2016 had seen Brexit and Trump’s first term cast as twin phenomena. Too much confidence that Trumpism could not triumph here would risk being dangerously complacent. So the challenge – if we want to learn the relevant lessons from America – depends on working out what translates across the Atlantic and what does not.
Educational polarisation is reshaping western democratic politics in an age of rising diversity. The 2024 US election is the final nail in the coffin for any “demographics is destiny” notion that rising education and growing diversity would together deliver a ‘new progressive majority’ politics to make societies decisively more open and inclusive.
Instead, these social trends revived old culture clashes and added new ones – splitting the electoral coalitions of the past down new cultural and economic cleavages. The Democrats – like Britain’s Remain campaign of 2016 – showed why winning the argument with the rising tide of university graduates will still be a losing proposition unless political leaders can speak as confidently to those without degrees too.
The assumption that ethnic minorities will retain the political allegiances forged in the era of civil rights or Enoch Powell is fading across generations – yet, few have spotted a key difference between the US Republicans and the British right. Trump is appealing to Hispanic and (more occasionally) black voters who resemble his white working-class base.
Britain’s Conservatives are making progress in a very different way – advancing with upwardly mobile ethnic minority graduates, and making little connection to black and Asian Britons who feel left behind by economic and social change.
The good news, in navigating these common challenges, is that British society really is much less deeply divided than America. The issues that deeply split America - abortion, guns and whether healthcare for all is a government responsibility – often command a pretty settled British social consensus. “Stacked identities” are weaker in Britain. If I saw you wearing a face-mask in America, I can probably guess not just how you vote, but your views of abortion and climate change, too. Knowing that you wear a Remembrance poppy and support the NHS would not allow one to draw similar conclusions in Britain: we have more in common, even when our politics feels too polarised.
Paradoxically, governing a less polarised society may be more politically challenging with voters low on trust and patience. America’s hyper-polarised politics does see its red and blue tribes retain a solid 45 per cent base in every election. The British parties could not take even half of that for granted. British party politics could prove more volatile, despite our stronger shared social norms.
Sunder Katwala
Since Britain is less divided than America, we should take seriously the challenges of how to keep it that way. This November has been the month when Elon Musk lost Britain. The world’s richest man remade Twitter in his own image to become Trump’s biggest ally. Creating a new wild west that nourishes trolls, bots and racists has sent UK users flocking to a BlueSky platform which reminds many nostalgic users of what Twitter once was. Musk’s platform was again this week a hotbed of new false conspiracy theories about the Southport tragedy.
Freedom, if it means anything, must include choosing where to spend your time. The exodus from X reflects how exhausting it can be having America’s culture clashes always in your pocket and head. Will this now become a retreat into parallel online bubbles – or a chance to reshape online culture for the better? It may be one early test of what a British alternative to Trumpism might mean in practice.
Comedian and presenter Romesh Ranganathan has opened up about his long-term mental health challenges, describing how he has found effective ways to manage his wellbeing and now feels he is in “one of the best places I’ve ever been in my life”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Ranganathan discussed experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past and the steps he has taken to improve his mental health. He also reflected on his Sri Lankan heritage, his upbringing, and the difficulties his family faced during his youth.
Managing mental health with daily routines
Ranganathan said he uses running, reading and breathing exercises to help maintain his mental wellbeing. These habits have become an important part of his routine.
“One of the things I’ve noticed when it comes to mental health is you do stuff that works… and then for some reason you just stop doing it,” he said. “You go, ‘Oh, I’ve done that every day for a week, I’m really feeling better, shall I just stop? Yeah!’ And then a few weeks later, wonder why I feel much worse.”
He described recognising when his mental health dips as “half the battle”, explaining that he is now better equipped to respond to difficult periods. “Sometimes I just go through a dark period and I know that I’ve got to do something about it,” he said.
Sharing mental health experiences responsibly
The 47-year-old broadcaster also reflected on the challenges of discussing mental health publicly, particularly when such conversations might affect others.
“You’ve got to be careful because it’s triggering [for other people],” he told presenter Lauren Laverne. “The way that I try and tackle that is to talk about it… I’m trying to destigmatise it to make the conversation normal.”
Mental health should be something people feel able to talk about openlyBBC Radio 4
However, Ranganathan acknowledged the fine line involved in public disclosures. “You do also have to be mindful of the fact that people may have been affected by that,” he said. “You don’t always get it right, but I think the rewards outweigh the risks.”
He explained that, like physical illness, mental health should be something people feel able to talk about openly. But he also emphasised the importance of being sensitive to those who may have personal experiences with suicide or depression.
Personal losses and long-term challenges
Ranganathan revealed that his struggles with mental health date back to his teenage years. He recalled particularly difficult moments during his A-levels, when his father was imprisoned for fraud, and the wider financial difficulties the family faced at the time.
“I’ve been through in my life a number of periods of suicide ideation,” he said. Despite these challenges, he said he currently feels mentally strong and positive. “As I speak now, this is running close to one of the best places I’ve ever been in my life mentally.”
His father died in 2011, but Ranganathan continues to reflect on his parents' lives and the lasting impact they’ve had on him.
Honouring his mother’s strength
During the interview, Ranganathan spoke warmly about his mother, Shanthi, and described her as “one of my heroes”. He shared how his parents moved to the UK from Sri Lanka in 1970, eight years before he was born.
While his father embraced British culture, socialising and working, Ranganathan said his mother had a very different experience. “That’s a 19-year-old girl who had kids in a foreign country,” he said. “My dad was going off to work… my mum is at home and going to the shops, but… there’s a strong argument he should’ve implemented more boundaries than he did.”
He admitted that one of his biggest regrets is “not having enough empathy or understanding” of his mother’s situation when he was growing up.
Family challenges and early life
Ranganathan recalled a difficult period when he was 12, and his father lost his job and struggled financially. “He was trying to make money in his sort of Sri Lankan Del Boy way, and it wasn’t working out,” he said. “He couldn’t keep up the mortgage repayments on their house.”
His father was later arrested and sentenced to two years in prison for fraud, an event that deeply affected Ranganathan during his teenage years.
Despite these hardships, Ranganathan eventually found success in comedy in the early 2010s and has since become a household name in the UK. He now hosts a weekend show on BBC Radio 2 and has fronted numerous popular television programmes.
Music and reflections
As part of his Desert Island Discs appearance, Ranganathan selected songs from artists including Kanye West, Eminem, and Huey Lewis and the News. His musical choices reflected different stages of his life and emotional journey.
The interview provided a rare and honest glimpse into the comedian’s personal experiences and mental health journey, offering encouragement to others who may be facing similar struggles.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Lokesh Kanagaraj set to direct Aamir Khan in a high-octane superhero film
Bollywood icon Aamir Khan has officially revealed that he will be teaming up with Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj for a large-scale superhero action film. The project, which is still in its early stages, is expected to begin production in the second half of 2026.
A rare early reveal from Aamir Khan
Aamir is known for picking his projects carefully, usually choosing one at a time, often after his latest release has had its run. But this time, ahead of the 20 June release of Sitaare Zameen Par, he decided to open up about what’s coming next. In a media interaction in Mumbai, he confirmed that he and Lokesh Kanagaraj have signed on to create a superhero film. “It’s a big-scale action film,” Aamir said, adding that while production is still more than a year away, the plan is firmly in place.
Lokesh, known for action-packed Tamil hits like Kaithi, Master, Vikram, and Leo, has built a reputation for combining stylish action with grounded storytelling. Aamir, who has dabbled in the action genre with films like Ghulam, Ghajini, and Dhoom 3, is expected to bring emotional weight and mainstream appeal to this pairing.
When asked for more details, Aamir smiled and declined to say more, simply stating that the full picture would emerge in time. For now, both actors and fans will have to wait as the film moves towards pre-production.
No PK sequel, but a Dadasaheb Phalke biopic is in the works
During the same interaction, Aamir also addressed speculation about a sequel to PK. “That’s just a rumour,” he said plainly. “I don’t know where that came from.” Instead, he confirmed he will reunite with director Rajkumar Hirani for a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema.
Meanwhile, Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual follow-up to his acclaimed 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, will see Aamir play a basketball coach working with a team of individuals with special needs. Directed by RS Prasanna and co-starring Genelia D’Souza, the film also introduces ten new actors.
Aamir Khan dismisses PK 2 rumours and confirms biopic on Dadasaheb PhalkeGetty Images
With multiple ambitious projects lined up, including a superhero film, a historical biopic, and the epic mythological saga, Aamir Khan is entering a creatively fertile phase of his career, balancing scale with substance.
Keep ReadingShow less
Habibur Masum pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to manslaughter and possession of a bladed article. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)
A MAN has admitted killing his wife as she pushed their baby in a pram through Bradford city centre, but has denied her murder.
Habibur Masum, 26, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to manslaughter and possession of a bladed article. He denied the charge of murder. The victim, 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter, was stabbed multiple times on 6 April last year. The baby was unharmed.
Masum, of Leamington Avenue, Burnley, was remanded in custody by Justice Cotter and is due to stand trial for murder on Monday.
He also denied two charges of assault, one count of making threats to kill and one charge of stalking. During a previous hearing, the court was told those charges relate to incidents over two days in November 2023.
The stalking charge alleges Masum tracked Akter between November and April, found her location at a safe house, sent threatening messages including photos and videos, loitered near her temporary residence, and caused her alarm or distress and fear of violence.
Akter was attacked at around 15:20 BST on Westgate near Drewton Road. She later died in hospital. Masum was arrested in Aylesbury after a three-day manhunt by West Yorkshire Police.
Her mother, Monwara Begum, speaking from Bangladesh last year, said: "I am in shock. She was my youngest daughter and I adored her greatly... The only day I didn't hear from her was the day she was attacked."
Music has inspired every aspect of Rick Ram’s life. The massively popular chutney soca star grew up surrounded by songs that shaped him as both an artist and individual. That journey led him to become an award-winning singer with a string of hits.
When Eastern Eye asked him to select his favourite songs, he chose ones filled with magic, meaning and cherished memories.
Tu by Sonu Nigam: When I was about 11, my mother Camla Ramoutar sang with a band called Melody Express and rehearsed at our home. One night, the lead singer did not show up, and they were practising this song. Jerry Beharry overheard me singing along and told me to perform it on stage. It became the first song I ever sang live.
Nache Man Mora Magan by Mohammed Rafi: Known as one of the most difficult songs to sing, this track encouraged me to pursue a music career. It was my first entry into Mastana Bahar, a respected platform that launched the careers of many artists.
Pretty Woman from Kal Ho Naa Ho: This song brought me my love and life partner, Vanessa Ramoutar. I entered a major competition in Trinidad and Tobago for the best cover version of this song. I did two versions with Xsitaaz Band and Caribbean Vibrations Band. We performed on a live TV show called Indian Variety, and I needed a dancer. That is when the beautifully talented Vanessa walked into my life.
Mitwa from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: This film track is a personal favourite to sing live. It remains one of the sweetest songs ever composed.
Sapano Main Pyardi by Ramdeo Chaitoo: This was the first traditional chutney song I covered. It will always hold a special place in my heart because it represents Caribbean music.
Ro Na Kabhi Nahin Rona from Apna Desh: I recorded a cover version of this song in 2007 and was blessed with a beautiful baby girl that same year. She brought such light into our lives, and the song became a huge success. To commemorate that moment, we named our daughter after the track – Varonah. For her sweet 16, we created a special remix of it just for her.
Ah Wish I Was Single by Rick Ram: I have many original hits in the chutney soca genre, but this one stands out. In 2012, I recorded the song and entered two competitions. I placed third in the Chutney Soca Monarch and won my first title as South Super Saturday Chutney Soca Monarch.
Nanda Baba by Anand Yankarran: This iconic song, originally sung by the late, great legend Anand Yankarran, remains one of the greatest traditional chutney tracks. I remember calling Mr Yankarran to ask his permission to do a cover, just before he passed away. He was so excited and said he had never heard anyone sing it the way I did. I recorded it with his blessings.
Luuuzzaarr by Rick Ram: This song was born out of a difficult time, when my wife and I were being bullied. Rather than retaliating, we channelled that experience into creating something positive. Luuuzzaarr made a huge impact – and helped me win two titles: the 2024 Chutney Soca Monarch and the 103.1FM Chutney Soca Road March competition.
Party Like This by Rick Ram: This original song is dedicated to my little prince, my son Rick Junior. He is full of energy and watches everything I do. A reflection of him, I am proud of this track just as I am proud of him and everything he is. It has become his anthem.
Instagram: @rick.ramoutar.75
Keep ReadingShow less
Tom Felton returns to the role of Draco Malfoy for the Broadway stage
For the first time since the final Harry Potter film wrapped over a decade ago, Tom Felton is returning to the wizarding world, but not on screen. Instead, the actor is headed to Broadway, where he’ll take on the role of an adult Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The stage production, which continues the story 19 years after the original books, will now feature one of its most iconic characters portrayed by the man who first brought him to life.
Felton will join the cast at New York’s Lyric Theatre beginning 11 November 2025, for a limited 19-week run until 22 March 2026. This also marks his Broadway debut, making the moment doubly significant. Not only is he the first actor from the original film series to step into the stage version of the Potter universe, but he’ll be playing Draco at the exact age the character is in the play, creating a rare full-circle moment for both the actor and the fans.
Unlike the sneering schoolboy we met in The Philosopher’s Stone, this Draco is a father now. Cursed Child picks up nearly two decades after the Battle of Hogwarts, with the next generation of witches and wizards, including Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco’s children starting their own journey at Hogwarts.
Speaking about the experience, Felton admitted that slipping back into Draco’s signature look affected him more deeply than expected. “The blond hair came back on, and I immediately started crying,” he said in an interview. “It felt like going back to school.” He reflected on how the role shaped his childhood and said stepping back into those robes was like “meeting Draco as an adult for the first time.”
Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender called Felton’s casting “a powerful moment of nostalgia and evolution,” acknowledging how his presence bridges the film legacy with the stage story in a way that resonates deeply with longtime fans.
Since his time in the films, Felton has explored a mix of stage and screen roles, from the sci-fi blockbuster Rise of the Planet of the Apes to his stage debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story and the recent A Child of Science. He also published a memoir, Beyond the Wand, sharing his experiences growing up in the spotlight.
But this latest role has stirred a different kind of emotion. “It’s surreal,” he said. “I let go of that character 16 years ago. Now I get to explore him again with new responsibilities, regrets, and maybe redemption.”
Tom Felton makes his Broadway debut in Cursed ChildGetty Images
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues to be one of the most successful plays in Broadway history, having sold over 10 million tickets worldwide. Felton’s involvement is expected to bring in a fresh wave of fans, especially those who grew up with the original films. Presale for tickets begins 10 June, with general sales opening on 12 June.