Enoch Powell: Rivers of Blood

In 1968, English politician Enoch Powell delivered a controversial speech known as ‘Rivers of Blood’, in which he predicted that the UK’s immigration policy would result in violence on the streets of Britain. It is among the best-known speeches in British political history. However, what dominated the discussion most was the incendiary nature of his language. This documentary examines the effect of the speech on the country’s immigration policy.

Rivers of Blood examines Powell’s character and the ideas behind his speech. It shows how it bitterly divided the nation at a time when Powell was a member of Prime Minister Edward Heath’s cabinet. Due to its inflammatory nature, Powell was dismissed by the political establishment, who considered the speech racist and divisive, and his sacking sparked furious debate. The documentary traces the effects of Powell’s address on immigration law in Britain. On its 40th anniversary, it digs deeper into the controversial claims and counterclaims surrounding Enoch Powell.