UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood dismisses US warnings of “civilisational erasure,” praises the UK’s multicultural success, and highlights Muslim contributions.
As reported by Eleni Courea of The Guardian, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood suggested that US claims of “civilisational erasure” in Europe are politically motivated attacks on Muslims.
What did Shabana Mahmood say about migration and Europe’s identity?
During an interview, Shabana Mahmood rejected claims that Europe’s national identities are at risk from migration, saying the UK has managed multicultural challenges “very well.”
Her comments come after the strongest response from a UK government minister to US President Donald Trump’s national security strategy. Released last month, the strategy sparked alarm with its broad attack on European governments and its call for promoting “patriotic” political parties.
When asked about the response to the strategy and its indirect criticism of Muslims in Europe, she replied,
“Others will want to make political points about whether there’s too many Muslims in Europe or not. What I would say is we’re the sort of country that allows people to have the calling of their own conscience to live their own life free, but also has common rules that we all live by so that we live in peace together.”
Ms Mahmood said she was
“very proud to be a citizen of a country that is as diverse as we are” and added, “We are a multifaith, multi-ethnic country. I think that we have managed the challenges very well compared to other countries.”
The Home Secretary stated,
“That’s not to say that we don’t have work to do on integration, on the pace of change in our communities. It’s why I’m looking very closely at not just illegal migrants into our country but legal migration as well, to make sure it’s done in a way that retains public confidence.”
She has previously spoken about the role of her Muslim faith in public life, saying it inspires her to serve the country and improve life for millions.
When questioned whether she believed the UK was ready for a Muslim prime minister, she responded,
“That’s not a thing that I can predict for the future but what I can tell you is you have a Muslim home secretary … and I think that shows the art of the possible in this country.”
What did the US security strategy say about Europe and how did the UK respond?
The US security plan calls for the restoration of “Western identity” and claims that Europe could become “unrecognisable within 20 years,” facing a “stark prospect of civilisational erasure.”
According to the plan, the US aims for Europe to remain European and restore its civilisational confidence, highlighting the role of “patriotic European parties” and urging support from American allies.
The strategy appears to support efforts to influence political developments in Europe, stating that US policy should focus on “resisting Europe’s current trajectory within its nations.”
The new security plan says,
“The Trump administration finds itself at odds with European officials who hold unrealistic expectations for the war perched in unstable minority governments, many of which trample on basic principles of democracy to suppress opposition.”
The plan raises concerns over whether European nations with high levels of inward migration will uphold NATO’s shared principles, or their alliance with the United States, as the original signatories did.
The British government has refrained from directly criticising President Trump’s report, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed his commitment to Europe’s enduring values of freedom and democracy.
Foreign Office Minister Seema Malhotra told the Commons that while the government opposed certain aspects of the strategy, the US remains a trusted and reliable ally.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has often been targeted by President Trump, said,
“We’ve seen in the UK a massive increase in anti-Muslim hatred.”
He added,
“When President Trump says some of the things he does … he normalises and brings to the mainstream views that I think are unacceptable.”
How did Donald Trump criticise Sadiq Khan?
Earlier this week, President Trump reignited his long-running feud with Sadiq Khan, calling him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor” while criticising UK immigration. He labelled the London mayor a “disaster” and said he has done a “terrible job.”
Mr Trump said,
“He gets elected because so many people have come in [to the UK]. They vote for him now. He’s a horrible mayor. He’s an incompetent mayor, but he’s a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor. I think he’s done a terrible job. London’s a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen.”
He has frequently criticised Sadiq Khan since 2015, when the Labour mayor spoke out against his proposed Muslim travel ban to the US.
How many times has Donald Trump visited the UK?
Donald Trump has visited the UK on five separate occasions as President (including his second non-consecutive term as of late 2025).
His first official visit as president, when he met with Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.
In 2019, during a state visit, he was received by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace and attended D-Day commemorative ceremonies.
President Trump made two visits to the UK in 2025: a working visit in July and a state visit in September, during which he also met Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
