‘Deport them!’: Sheffield councillor calls out rise in online racism towards politicians

A Sheffield Crookes and Crosspool councillor has spoken out about a rise in online racism towards politicians.

Minesh Parekh, a Labour councillor and University of Sheffield alumnus, was first elected in the popular student area in 2022. He has since campaigned on issues such as the environment, housing, and arms manufacturing.

Comments on social media posts about his work have recently included one person saying: “No MP or Councillor should be in our council unless English and born in Sheffield”.

Another user wrote: “Just reading the councillors name says it all, deport them!!”.

Speaking to The Sheffield Tab, Minesh said while “there’s always been a level of racism and abuse when you’re a person of colour involved in politics” he has “seen that increase massively over the past year”.

He added: “This kind of hostile rhetoric…is only going to put off the people we need to stand up and represent our communities. But I also think it’s really important to challenge because how else are we going to move beyond this?”

As of spring 2025, figures from the Home Office indicate a six per cent increase in racial hate crimes.

Minesh also believes this “harmful rise of rhetoric” drives “toxic legislation”.

He cited Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s announcement that people coming to the UK with skilled worker visas would need to prove A-Level standard English from 2026.

“I think the significance of that being proposed by a Labour government is really worrying. It shows that they’re unfortunately listening more to the far-right and Reform than they are to their own voter base,” the councillor explained. 

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After the legislation was introduced, Ms Mahmood said: “If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part.”

When asked about moderation on social media, Minesh argued there is a need for better education about online hate and for stricter moderation of online Facebook communities. “Calling in is as important as calling out in this context where we can tackle misinformation and disinformation, and the real issues in society not the ones being manufactured.”

Minesh spoke of the people in his life who help him to “switch off” and not lose himself to the “toxic business” of being a politician.

The councillor added: “I think that’s still worth striving for, even if there is this hostility you might face at a personal level, because we can win a better world from our involvement in it”.

The Home Office declined to comment.