Drawing on a wealth of original sources, including interviews with politicians and activists this book explores the changing contours of the politics of race in the present social and political environment. The volume seeks to go beyond abstract generalisations in order to develop an account which takes seriously the everyday processes that have shaped social understandings of race and politics in British society. At the same time it links up to the broader debates about the impact of multiculturalism on contemporary politics, the role of minorities in political life and the limits of democratic government.Its account of the role of black politicians within the context of party politics will be of particular appeal to those interested in the interplay between mobilisation and the development of racial justice and equality. Race, Politics and Social Change will appeal to students of British Politics and Society and to all those with interests in the politics of race.

Preface, Introduction, 1 Theoretical and conceptual issues, 2 Race, politics and social change, 3 Power, racism and political mobilization, 4 Parties, black participation and political change, 5 Political discourses and race, 6 The new black politics, 7 Political change and policy agendas, 8 Democracy, civil society and racism, Appendices, Bibliography, Index