Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Debate Over Who Can Be Considered English Intensifies
Suella Braverman says she is British and Asian, but not English.
She believes Englishness is connected to ethnicity and has existed for centuries.
Rishi Sunak, who also has Indian parents, says he is English.
The writer says people can understand Englishness in different ways.
The article also says the UK has changed and is home to many people with different backgrounds.
It suggests that identity can include several influences at once.
Braverman's children have a white British father.
The writer thinks people will accept them as English when they are older.
Suella Braverman says she is British and Asian, but not English, describing Englishness as an ethnicity.
Braverman argues that defining Englishness broadly risks denying her Asian heritage and weakening national identity.
The writer contrasts her view with Rishi Sunak, who identifies as English despite having Indian parents.
The article argues that English identity is complex and increasingly shaped by the UK's changing population.
The writer predicts Braverman's children will be regarded as English as they grow up.
- Who
- Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak, whose different views of English identity are discussed by the article's writer.
- What
- A debate over whether Englishness is an ethnicity or an identity that can include people of different backgrounds.
- When
- The article discusses Braverman's appearance on Question Time the previous week and her recent statements.
- Where
- The debate concerns England and the United Kingdom.
- Why
- Braverman says she does not consider herself English because she sees Englishness as an ethnicity and wants to affirm her Asian heritage; the writer argues that English identity is changing.
Englishness Can Include Diverse Backgrounds
Englishness Is An Ethnicity
Who can be English?
Englishness Can Include Diverse Backgrounds
The writer suggests English identity can include people with different backgrounds and argues that it is changing with the country's population.
Englishness Is An Ethnicity
Braverman argues that Englishness is an ethnicity, rather than something determined simply by being born in England.
Identity and heritage
Englishness Can Include Diverse Backgrounds
The writer sees people as able to combine multiple influences and predicts Braverman's children will be regarded as English.
Englishness Is An Ethnicity
Braverman says describing herself as English would deny her Asian heritage.
- Braverman's self-identification
- She describes herself as British and Asian, but not English.
- Braverman's argument
- She says Englishness is an ethnicity with centuries of history.
- Sunak's view
- Rishi Sunak considers himself English; the article says his parents are Indian.
- Question Time appearance
- Braverman discussed her identity on the BBC programme the previous week.
- Braverman's children
- Her children George and Gabriella were described as seven and five.
- UK population figures cited
- The article says the UK population is approaching 70 million and includes 2.5 million people of Indian origin.