Matthew Goodwin Declares London "Over," Citing Rapid Demographic Shifts and Rising Crime

Political commentator Matthew Goodwin recently sparked widespread discussion by asserting that "London is over. It’s so over," a statement shared by Peter Boghossian on social media, linking it to broader concerns about "Immigration, Islam, and the Battle for Britain’s Soul." Goodwin's remarks stem from observations regarding the capital's perceived decline, which he attributes to accelerated demographic change, mass immigration, and economic stagnation.

In a recent article, Goodwin elaborated on his views, highlighting a surge in street crime, including over 70,000 phone thefts and 90,000 shoplifting offenses in London last year, alongside claims of an alleged rape every hour. He also noted a perceived deterioration in public services, with some staff unable to speak English properly, and a general sense of the city becoming "unrecognisable."

Goodwin pointed to significant demographic transformations within the capital. White Britons now constitute approximately one-third of London's population, and four in ten residents were born overseas. He also stated that nearly one-quarter of Londoners do not speak English as their main language, and 320,000 cannot speak English at all, raising questions about social cohesion.

The commentator further argued that recent waves of low-skill, low-wage, non-European immigration are economically detrimental, taking more from the economy than they contribute. Goodwin also controversially linked mass immigration to the "rape gang scandal," asserting that these incidents overwhelmingly involved "Pakistani Muslim men." He expressed concern over what he perceives as a suppression of free speech and open debate on these sensitive issues due to "hate laws" and "blasphemy laws."

Goodwin advocates for "radical, wholesale political change," proposing an immediate end and freeze to mass uncontrolled immigration. He suggests a "factory reset" for the UK, aiming to revert to a pre-Tony Blair era approach to immigration and free speech. His statements underscore a growing sentiment among some that the UK is facing an existential crisis regarding its national identity and social fabric.