Commonwealth Day reflections: Migration, belonging, and Britain’s unfinished reckoning

Commonwealth Day reflections: Migration, belonging, and Britain’s unfinished reckoning

By Reverend Clive Foster MBE, Senior Minister Pilgrim Church Nottingham & Windrush Campaigner

Commonwealth Day is a moment of reflection, yet its origins are deeply entangled in Britain’s colonial past. What began as Empire Day—a celebration of Britain’s dominion over its vast territories—has evolved into a day that, at least in principle, acknowledges the shared history and contributions of Commonwealth nations. But in 2025, what does this day mean for Commonwealth migrants living in the UK? When we examine the lived realities of those who have made Britain their home, we see a stark contrast between the ideals of Commonwealth unity and the daily struggles many migrants face.

Not a day goes by without immigration being a focal point in British political discourse, often in a negative light. Social media amplifies far-right protests, where individuals of colour are still asked, “What are you doing here?” It echoes the words of the late Ambalavaner Sivanandan: “We are here because you were there.” This powerful statement reminds us that Britain’s past imperial reach shaped the movement of people from the Commonwealth to the UK. Yet, Britain has yet to fully reconcile with its colonial past and the impact of migration on its society.

The history of the Commonwealth and migration is the history of Britain itself. We see echoes of the Commonwealth in our cities, our workplaces, our culture, and our communities. But for many Commonwealth migrants, full acceptance remains elusive. The Windrush scandal laid this bare—where those who had every moral and legal right to be in the UK were denied services, lost their homes, and were wrongly deported. Many have died waiting for justice, and others continue to fight for their legal status and rightful compensation under the Windrush schemes.

If we want to understand the structural barriers migrants face, we need only revisit the Home Office’s own report on the Historical Roots of the Windrush Scandal. The report confirmed what many campaigners have long argued: that successive immigration laws were designed to reduce Black and Brown migration to the UK, disproportionately affecting Commonwealth citizens. The scandal did not only impact Caribbean migrants—it became evident that anyone who had lawfully lived in the UK before 1988, from any part of the world, could face similar struggles to prove their status and claim compensation.

Despite this, we rarely hear headlines about the economic and social contributions migrants make. Many migrants take on jobs classified as “low-skilled” but essential—roles that keep the NHS running, support social care, and sustain industries that are fundamental to British society. Many Commonwealth migrants are not just seeking work; they are seeking stability, security, and a fair pathway to citizenship—something that ultimately stems from Britain’s colonial entanglements. They are not outsiders; they are the legacy of Britain’s global past.

In my work supporting those affected by the Windrush scandal, I have been asked many times: “Why do I have to pay for my passport if I am a British citizen?” The question is valid. The road to legal recognition in Britain is long, costly, and often painful.

A concerning development in February 2025 is the change to the good character requirement for British citizenship, which now automatically refuses citizenship to those who entered the UK illegally. This blanket rule disproportionately affects those who have been in the UK for decades but may have irregular documentation due to historic failures in the immigration system. Many Commonwealth migrants who have lived and contributed to society in good faith could now face further barriers to securing their rightful citizenship.

The Windrush scandal exposed fundamental flaws in the UK’s immigration system. If we are serious about learning from it, we must make the pathway to citizenship shorter, cheaper, and fairer. People must be treated with dignity, not suspicion, throughout the process. A crucial step forward would be implementing the recommendation from Wendy Williams’ Windrush Lessons Learned Review, which called for the establishment of a Migrants’ Commissioner. This independent body would provide a vital voice for those navigating the immigration system, ensuring fairness, accountability, and a clear channel for addressing systemic injustices.

Commonwealth Day should not just be about celebration; it should be about accountability. The UK must recognise that the Commonwealth’s contribution is not just historical—it is ongoing, shaping the nation’s present and future.

Let this Commonwealth Day be a turning point, where we move beyond rhetoric and towards real change. A change that sees migrants not as burdens, but as integral parts of Britain’s shared history and destiny.