A group of MPs is calling for the next census to include more ethnicity options, allowing people to identify as black English or Asian English. The proposal, dubbed the "St George's Bill", was introduced in the House of Commons on Tuesday by Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde.
In his speech, Babarinde, who represents Eastbourne, said he is a "proud Englishman" with "proud Nigerian heritage". He argued that Englishness should not be reduced to skin colour or bloodline, stating: "My parents and I were born in England, we grew up in England, our home is in England, yet some voices attempt to reduce Englishness to a skin colour and to a bloodline."
The MP revealed he has received death threats for saying that you don't have to be white to be English. He added that English ethnicity is real and has never been one bloodline, noting that even the Royal Family has German roots.
Currently, the census in England only offers "English" as an option under the white category. Babarinde pointed out that black individuals are offered "black British" and Asian individuals "Asian British", but not English. In contrast, the Welsh census includes a black Welsh category, and the Scottish census offers Scottish Asian, for example.
The bill has garnered support from across the political spectrum, including Labour's David Lammy and Conservative Sir James Cleverly. Lammy, a former deputy prime minister, said: "It is quite absurd that neither I nor my mixed heritage children can describe themselves as black or mixed race and English on our census form. I have long campaigned for us to change to the position enjoyed by others in Wales and Scotland. We have to end this backward racial gatekeeping."
Babarinde told the BBC that he brought forward the private member's bill because some corners of politics are attempting to gatekeep Englishness for people of a particular colour. He also criticised people like Suella Braverman, who he said have undermined and questioned the Englishness of people like him. Braverman, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK, has previously written that she is British Asian but cannot claim to be English despite being born and educated in England. She has argued that Englishness is an ethnicity and that saying otherwise denies her Asian heritage.
The bill, formally known as the English Ethnic Identity (census particulars) Bill, is scheduled for a second reading debate on 23 April 2027, St George's Day. However, it is unlikely to progress further in its current form due to limited parliamentary time. Private members' bills allow MPs to raise issues and gauge support for their ideas.
The call for updated census categories comes amid ongoing debates about identity and belonging in modern Britain. Supporters argue that the current categories are outdated and fail to reflect the diversity of English society. The 2021 census saw controversy over its ethnicity section, and this bill aims to address those concerns by providing more inclusive options.
