The aim of this study is to provide an explanation as to why race, racism and anti-racism have become such pervasive features of political debate in contemporary Britain. The text examines issues which are fundamental to an understanding of the politics of race in the UK, and explains how recent developments should be set in an historical and comparative framework. It traces the history of political debate about racism, the development of national and local political agendas, the role of racist and black political organizations and the impact of urban unrest and conflict. The text will be of interest to both specialists and general readers who are interested in the political debates about the role of racism and the struggle for racial justice in advanced industrial societies.