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

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

The Labour councillor and University of Sheffield alumni was first elected in the popular student area in 2022, and has since campaigned an 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 commentator 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 6 per cent increase in racial hate crimes.

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

For example, on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announcing people coming to the UK skilled worker visas would need to prove A-Level standard English from 2026, he said: “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.” 

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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, he added there was a need for better education on online hate and for stricter moderation on 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 explained people in his life that help him to “switch off” and not lose himself to the “toxic business” of being a politician.

To conclude, he said: “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.