Wolverhampton is a multi-cultural city and the diversity in population can only enhance the city and make it more vibrant. However, when immigrants began to settle in large numbers the city, it was not always easy for them.

By the early 1960s there were thought to be 5,000-7,000 West Indians, Indians and Pakistanis living around Wolverhampton. According to articles these new immigrants were living quite separately and were not fully accepted into the community.

Following, there are a series of articles that give a snapshot into Wolverhampton during the 1960s. In 1965 due to growing unrest in Britain, the Race Relations Act was passed which made some discrimination unlawful. But in response to this new anti-discrimination Act the Labour government also tightened the 1962 Commonwealth Immigrations Act and in 1968 there were more restrictions on the Immigration act. This was passed by the Labour government on the back of a wave of anti-immigration racism led by Enoch Powell. 

It was during this time that the politician Enoch Powell held his seat in Wolverhampton South West; and the city was going through many transitions and problems relating to the new migrant that were that were publicised both locally and nationally. The city was thought to be a hot bed of problems; the following articles show what was happening.  Please click on the article to read it.

1 November 1965 ‘Launderettes have black and white problem’

27 May 1968 ‘A warning of race conflict’

13 August 1968 ‘A lesson to be learned from W’ton survey’

22 October 1968 ‘The plight of the coloured’

5 February 1969 ‘An immigrant social club?’
 
7 March 1969 ‘W’ton J.P.s – coloured nominees’

26 September 1969 ‘Migrant plea for centres’