Sir Salman Rushdie has said he believes Britain is going through a period of decline, not only in economic terms but also in how the country perceives itself. Speaking on LBC’s Tonight with Andrew Marr, he argued that the United Kingdom is shrinking in confidence and struggling to adjust to its post-imperial role. He added that some reassessment after the end of Empire was necessary, yet the growing level of prejudice today is what he finds most troubling.
Asked if casual racism has resurfaced in 2025, Sir Salman said he felt it had to some degree. He recalled facing prejudice during his time at boarding school and noted that such experiences stay with people long after they move on.
In the wide-ranging interview, Sir Salman also expressed surprise at how quickly Sir Keir Starmer‘s Government had lost momentum since winning the July 2024 general election by a landslide. Although he said he would still back Labour if he were able to vote, he admitted he was disappointed by how rapidly public support has fallen.
Sir Salman has lived with threats for decades following the publication of The Satanic Verses in 1988. He later survived a violent attack in 2022, which caused lasting injuries, and the attacker received a long prison sentence.
