MPs push for black English and Asian English census options

Current census rules exclude some

Currently, the ethnicity query provides options for English speakers solely under the White designation. About 11 percent of the UK-born population in England and Wales are from a minority ethnic background. Respondents can describe themselves as Asian British or Black British but have no option to identify as English. In contrast, the Welsh census offers Black Welsh categories while Scotland lists Scottish Asian options.

Bill targets political gatekeeping claims

Josh Babarinde introduced a private member's bill requiring future censuses to give every category an option to identify as English. He stated that most people agree you do not have to be white to be English. Former deputy prime minister David Lammy supports the change, calling current rules backward racial gatekeeping. Reform UK politician Suella Braverman claimed Englishness is an ethnicity and denied her own claim to it.

Supporters include cross-party figures

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard and Lib Dem chair Layla Moran also back the proposal. The bill uses a ten-minute rule procedure which rarely becomes law but raises policy matters. Zia Yusuf, chair of Reform UK, distanced himself from Braverman's views citing Ashley Cole as an English fullback. The drive aims to unite people around shared Englishness rather than dividing them over identity definitions.