Shropshire MP pushes to allow non-white people to describe themselves as ‘English’ on census

A Shropshire MP is pushing to allow people in the country who are non-white to be allowed to describe themselves as ‘English’ on the UK census.

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Wrekin MP, Mark Pritchard, is co-sponsoring a new Bill in Parliament on Wednesday- the 'English Ethnic Identity (Census Particulars) Bill'.

The Bill aims to require future censuses in England to allow respondents, across all ethnic groups, to identify as English, if they so choose.

The MP said that currently, in the existing census in England, the 'ethnic group' question offers ‘English’ only as an option within the ‘White’ category.

People from Asian, Black, or other backgrounds can only describe themselves as British, but have no option to describe themselves as English, something the Wrekin MP says is "unfair and discriminatory".

By contrast to the census in Scotland and Wales, which offers options such as “Scottish Asian”, and “Black Welsh”.

Mr Pritchard said: “I am pleased to co-sponsor this Bill.

“Englishness should not be reduced to a person's skin colour.

“In the next census, people from Black, Asian or mixed-race backgrounds should be able to identify as English, rather than British if they choose.

“This is about equity, justice, fairness, and civil rights for all."