The Census Must Better Recognise English Identity

People should be able to define their Englishness in their own words.

Yesterday, I raised this in my first Business Questions as the Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House of Commons.

Earlier this week, my colleague Josh Babarinde, MP for Eastbourne, introduced a 10-minute rule Bill to update the census ethnicity questions, allowing people to identify as “Black English” or “Asian English.” Right now, the only English option is “White English.”

That doesn’t fully reflect the diversity of people who call England home, or the many who are deeply proud of their English identity.

The bill has strong cross-party backing, with David Lammy and James Cleverly among its co-sponsors, and the Prime Minister expressed his support on Wednesday. We want to keep building a community that brings people together here in Newbury, West Berkshire, and right across the country. 

In the Chamber I asked the Leader of the House to support the principle behind the bill and see what time the Government can spare to help it progress.

This isn't about taking anything away from anyone. It’s simply about giving people the choice and opportunity to describe themselves as they see themselves.

With More in Common polling finding that 74% of people believe you can be English whatever the colour of your skin, Parliament and our census needs to catch up with public opinion.

And, while talking about our pride in Englishness, I could not let the opportunity pass without a nod to football: with Harry Kane becoming England men’s record appearance holder just over two weeks after winning the Ballon d’Or trophy, it feels like it's high time for him to become Sir Harry Kane!