Refugees, Migrants and Citizens in U.K. Socio-Political Discourse: A Postcolonial and Discourse Analytical Critique

This paper examines why migrants and refugees are treated differently to citizens by the U.K. government. It brings together written statements from Members of Parliament and three online news sources, unpacking the contemporary dominant discourse using Critical Discourse Analysis. It argues that, as a colonial power, the U.K. has used and continues to use dehumanisation tactics to ‘other’ migrants. The examination of texts found common themes: citizens were presented as helpful, good people, the nation-state as a source of identity and safety and borders as requiring protection — in turn, justifying exceptionalism in the name of security. It concludes that the mistreatment of migrants and refugees is seen as legitimate because the national dominant discourse has constructed their societal identity as ‘others’ who pose a risk to the congruency of the state.