Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated he is likely to support a bill that would allow people in England to describe themselves as "Black English" or "Asian English" on the census, in a direct challenge to claims that only white people can be English.
The English Ethnic Identity (Census Particulars) Bill, a 10-minute rule bill tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde, has drawn cross-party backing from Labour's David Lammy and Conservative James Cleverly.
Currently, the census in England offers "English" only within the "White" category. About 11% of the UK-born population in England and Wales are from a minority ethnic background; Asian, black, mixed and other respondents have no option to describe themselves as English. Scotland and Wales already provide options such as "Scottish Asian" and "Black Welsh".
At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey asked Burnham to support the bill, noting that Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had rejected the idea of an ethnic basis for Englishness. Davey said some MPs had "shamefully" argued for what he called a racist idea that only white people can be English. Burnham replied that he had not examined the detail of the bill but "would want to support that Bill to directly take on the poisonous politics that we've seen from some in this House who are seeking to divide us. We must move on from a decade of division and drift in this country, we must bring people back together."
Babarinde, who presented the bill on Tuesday, argued that the current system treats Black and Asian English people as "marginal" and that the bill takes "nothing away from anyone" while adding choices that reflect how people already see themselves. He said the current definition meant 60% of England's World Cup squad would not technically be classified as English on the census.
The debate was sparked in October by Reform UK MP Suella Braverman, who suggested that only white people can be English.
As a 10-minute rule bill, the legislation would need government time to progress through Parliament. The next census is scheduled for 2031.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The bill challenges the current ethnic classification on the census, which many say does not reflect modern English identity.
- It directly confronts claims from Reform UK that Englishness is tied to ethnicity, a key flashpoint in UK politics.
- If adopted, it would align England's census with Scotland and Wales, potentially influencing national identity and data collection.
Background
The English census currently offers "English" only under the "White" category. Non-white respondents can choose "British" (e.g. "Asian or Asian British") but not "English". In October, Reform UK MP Suella Braverman stated that only white people can be English, sparking cross-party condemnation. The English Ethnic Identity (Census Particulars) Bill was introduced as a 10-minute rule bill, requiring government support to become law.
Key Perspectives
- Andy Burnham (Prime Minister): Supports the bill to challenge "poisonous politics" and division.
- Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat leader): Called for rejection of what he termed a racist idea that Englishness is only for white people.
- Kemi Badenoch (Conservative leader): Has rejected the idea of an ethnic basis for Englishness.
- Suella Braverman (Reform UK MP): Argued that only white people can be English.
- Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat MP): Says the bill takes nothing away and adds options reflecting how people see themselves.
What to Watch
- Whether the government allocates parliamentary time for the bill, without which it cannot become law.
- Political reactions from Reform UK and other opponents as the bill progresses.
- The 2031 census timeline, which gives several years for potential changes to be implemented.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
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- SupportedBurnham signalled support for a bill adding “Black English” and “Asian English” census options.World news | The Guardian: “Andy Burnham has said he is likely to support a bill tabled by a Liberal Democrat MP that would allow people to define themselves as both black and English for ethnicity options in the census for England.”
- SupportedBurnham described the politics the bill would challenge as “poisonous politics”.World news | The Guardian: “I would want to support that bill to directly take on the poisonous politics that we’ve seen from some in this house who are seeking to divide us.”
- SupportedBurnham said he had not looked at the bill’s detail but would want to support it.The Independent UK: “I haven't looked at the detail of the Bill, but I stand here thinking that I would want to support that Bill to directly take on the poisonous politics”
- SupportedDavey said some MPs had “shamefully” argued for the racist idea that only white people can be English.World news | The Guardian: “Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said some MPs had “shamefully” argued for what he called the racist idea that only white people can be English.”
- SupportedThe bill was tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde as a 10-minute rule bill.The Independent UK: “He presented the 10-minute rule Bill to the Commons on Tuesday.”
- SupportedThe bill has cross-party backing from Labour’s David Lammy and Conservative James Cleverly.World news | The Guardian: “The bill was drawn up by Josh Babarinde, the Lib Dem president, with backing from a cross-party mix of MPs including David Lammy, a former Labour deputy prime minister, and James Cleverly, the Conservative former foreign secretary.”
- SupportedIn England’s census, “English” is offered only within the “White” category.World news | The Guardian: “In England , the ethnic group question on the census offers “English” only within the “White” category”
- SupportedAbout 11% of the UK-born population in England and Wales are from a minority ethnic background.World news | The Guardian: “although about 11% of UK-born population in England and Wales are from a minority ethnic background.”
- SupportedScotland and Wales offer census options such as “Scottish Asian” and “Black Welsh”.World news | The Guardian: “the census in Scotland and Wales, which offers options such as “Scottish Asian”, and “Black Welsh”.”
- SupportedBabarinde said the current definition meant 60% of England’s World Cup squad would not technically be classified as English on the census.World news | The Guardian: “Babarinde said the current definition meant 60% of England’s World Cup squad would not technically be classified as English on the census.”
- SupportedBabarinde said the current system treats Black and Asian English people as “marginal”.The Independent UK: “Mr Babarinde argued that the current situation treats English people with Black and Asian heritage as “marginal”.”
- SupportedThe next census is scheduled for 2031.The Independent UK: “The next census will be held in 2031.”