Race Relations Act 1965

Reasons for the act's introduction The UK saw an influx of economic migrants after World War II, many from British colonies or former colonies; those from the Caribbean are known as the Windrush generation. By the time the 1965 bill was introduced, there was a population of almost a million immigrants living in Britain. The Museum of London states that "casual 'colour prejudice' was part of daily life" for many. Between 1951 to 1964, a dozen attempts were made to legislate racial discrimination. The left-wing Member of Parliament Fenner Brockway had introduced a bill to put a stop to racial discrimination eight times from 1956 to 1964. In 1958, London saw the Notting Hill riots, Exclusion of Northern Ireland The Government of Northern Ireland successfully lobbied the Government of the United Kingdom for Northern Ireland to be excluded from the territorial extent of the Race Relations Act 1965 and for religion to excluded from being considered a "racial" criterion. ==Outline==

The act was drafted by Home Secretary Frank Soskice with some cross-party cooperation. The bill was given royal assent on 8 November 1965 and began to be enforced on 8 December. Black immigrants were also tried for this offence, including Black Power leader Michael Abdul Malik (Michael X) and four members of the Universal Coloured People's Association for "stirring up racial hatred against white people." ==Limitations==

The act specifically excluded shops and private boarding houses, only outlawing discrimination in "places of public resort." The Race Relations Board was rather weak in its enforcement capabilities, being limited to conciliation and an assurance not to return to the discriminatory behavior. It was "a weak piece of legislation" and failed to end racial discrimination in the UK fully. The act did not apply in Northern Ireland. ==Amendment and repeal==

The Act was strengthened with the Race Relations Act 1968, which extended the legislation's remit to cover employment and housing. It was repealed by the Race Relations Act 1976, which saw the creation of the Commission for Racial Equality. ==See also==