Why aren’t more British Indians critical of Priti Patel?

The Home Secretary’s divisive and xenophobic politics would suggest her as a likely nemesis of most minorities. Yet many British Indians don’t seem to have a problem with her

Like my wife, Priti Patel was born in the UK to Gujarati parents emigrating from East Africa. Both my wife’s and Patel’s paternal grandparents were also born in Gujarat, India. It’s a history that many British Indians, particularly those whose families emigrated from East Africa, will share; the immigrant narrative in search of opportunities and social mobility for your family.

As a minority, there is often a sense of pride in seeing someone of your background represented in public life. In that regard, and for many British Indians, Patel represents a visibility that many minorities yearn for in securing positions that haven’t been afforded to those before them.

Although unlike many sons and daughters of immigrants, Priti Patel does not appear to embrace this aspect of her heritage, or her identity as a woman of colour. She is a member of arguably the most racist, xenophobic and Islamophobic British government in over 30 years. Her party wears its prejudice as a badge of honour in courting the support of those on the far right. As Home Secretary, Patel is content to see herself weaponised against her fellow minorities.