When political representatives don’t reflect the demographics of the population that’s not just bad optics – it can lead to discrepancies between what politicians pursue and what people seek.

Chasing the far right on immigration only enables them to set the government agenda and serves to normalise extreme positions while yielding little electoral reward, while also alienating Labour’s core voters.

A new wave of Venezuelan refugees would threaten a humanitarian crisis – Latin America could learn from Europe

“¡Cierren las fronteras, no más migrantes!” es una expresión que lamentablemente resuena en toda Sudamérica y más allá. Los gobiernos de países receptores de migrantes han propuesto diversas, y a menudo costosas, medidas para frenar la migración masiva: desde la imposición de visas hasta la construcción de muros y barreras de alambre, pasando por el despliegue militar, los bloqueos navales e incluso los vuelos a terceros países. Pero la pregunta clave es: ¿funcionan realmente estas medidas?

Labour’s plans to tackle high immigration numbers when it comes to the arrival of small boats include the creation of a new Border Security force, as well as a new agreement with the EU to combat smuggling gangs. These measures won’t be enough, argues Omar Hammoud-Gallego. A new asylum pact with the EU along the lines of the Dublin Regulation is needed, as well as the creation of legal and safe routes for asylum seekers.

The media plays a major role in influencing public opinion. This can lead to greater polarisation, but can media coverage also have a uniting effect? New research by Omar Hammoud-Gallego explores the relationship between what is printed in the press and how we feel about democracy.

Desde la asistencia jurídica gratuita en Nicaragua hasta el reconocimiento del derecho al refugio para las personas que huyen de desastres medioambientales en Ecuador, las leyes latinoamericanas sobre refugiados son excepcionales. Pero a menudo parecen representar más un manifiesto utópico que una base para la acción política.

From free legal assistance in Nicaragua to the recognition of the right to refuge for people fleeing environmental disasters in Ecuador, Latin American refugee laws are exceptional. Yet they often seem to represent more of a utopian manifesto than the basis for political action.