Novara Media Novara FM: How Enoch Powell Explains British Politics’ Rivers of Shit w/ Kojo Koram
May 29, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Kojo Koram, Reader in law at Birkbeck School of Law and author of 'Uncommon Wealth, Britain and the Aftermath of Empire,' delves into the legacy of Enoch Powell. He explores how Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech continues to influence modern British politics, particularly with Keir Starmer's recent remarks. Koram connects Powell’s rhetoric to contemporary debates surrounding immigration and nationalism, revealing the deep ties between neoliberalism and structural racism in today's society, while also reflecting on colonial violence's lingering impact.
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Powell and Farage Compared
- Nigel Farage openly admires Powell and shares neoliberal and anti-EU themes.
- Powell feared US dominance; Farage aligns with it as Britain’s global ally.
Using the Working Class Voice
- Powell and Farage both rhetorically adopt the 'noble working class' to legitimize their politics.
- Powell voices fears through a fictional working-class constituent in his Rivers of Blood speech.
Populism's Role in Their Politics
- Both Powell and Farage use populist rhetoric to define an 'us vs. them' national identity.
- Their politics rely on opposing an ever-present 'other' to maintain cohesion.




