Burnham backs 'Black English' and 'Asian English' census options
- The Bill was introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde to address the marginalization of ethnic minorities.
- Current census data only lists 'English' under the white category, unlike Welsh or Scottish census options.
- The proposal aims to combat what Burnham described as 'poisonous politics' regarding national identity.
- The Bill requires government backing to progress despite receiving cross-party support.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asked if the Prime Minister would back the English Ethnic Identity (Census Particulars) Bill. Burnham stated he had not yet reviewed the bill's details but confirmed his intent to support the measure to directly confront what he described as "poisonous politics". This move aims to align England's census practices with those already in place in Wales and Scotland.
Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde introduces census Bill
Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde introduced the English Ethnic Identity (Census Particulars) Bill to the House of Commons as a 10-minute rule motion on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Babarinde argued that the existing census framework treats English residents of Black and Asian heritage as "marginal". While the legislation has received cross-party support, including from David Lammy, it requires official Government backing to advance through the parliamentary process.
Campaigners argue current census marginalizes ethnic identities
Babarinde, the MP for Eastbourne, stated that his proposed legislation adds identity choices reflecting how people view themselves without taking anything away from other citizens. He argued that there have been deliberate attempts to "reduce Englishness to a skin colour and to a bloodline". Under the current 2021 census structure, the only box for English identity is categorized strictly under the white category. The form currently provides options for Black British and Asian British identities, but it does not offer English equivalents. In contrast, the Welsh census includes a Black Welsh category, and the Scottish census provides a Scottish Asian option. England’s current census, by comparison, only provides a miscellaneous write-in box for these identities.
Prime Minister vows to tackle poisonous politics
During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated his support for the English Ethnic Identity (Census Particulars) Bill. He intends to directly take on the poisonous politics seeking to divide the country.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey challenged the Prime Minister during the session regarding these national divisions. He argued that politics is currently affected by poisonous ideas that suggest people born and raised in England cannot be English if they are not white.
Sir Ed Davey praised Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for rejecting the ideology that Englishness is limited to white people. He noted that the only English option currently available when asked about ethnicity on the census is white English.
Reform UK MP Suella Braverman sparked October debate
The current parliamentary row regarding the definition of Englishness was sparked in October. Reform UK MP Suella Braverman suggested at that time that only white people can be English.
David Lammy and cross-party supporters seek government backing
The Bill has received cross-party support, including from former Labour deputy prime minister David Lammy. However, the legislation requires government backing to progress further.
He has long campaigned for this specific change to the census.
Burnham expressed a desire to work with anyone who aims to end a decade of division and drift in the country. He noted that he had not yet reviewed the specific details of the Bill.
Current census restricts English identity to white category
Sir Ed Davey noted that this remains the only English option available when asked about ethnicity on the census.
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