politics

Rishi Sunak addresses the complexities of English identity beyond ethnicity

26 Eylül 2026The Guardian

Rishi Sunak argues that English identity should not be defined by ethnicity, responding to claims about his own identity.
The question of whether one can be English without being white continues to provoke debate in the UK. Rishi Sunak, the country's first prime minister of color, recently argued against defining national identity in ethnic terms, highlighting the dangers of such a perspective.
He emphasized that labeling individuals based on their ethnicity risks creating a slippery slope in discussions of national identity.
This discourse is not new in the UK, where discussions about national identity often intersect with issues of race and ethnicity. The rise of populism and nationalist sentiments has intensified these conversations, making it crucial for leaders to address the complexities of identity in a diverse society.
The persistence of this debate indicates a broader societal struggle with identity and belonging in an increasingly multicultural Britain. Sunak's remarks reflect an attempt to challenge the ethnonationalist narrative that has gained traction in certain political circles.

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“Once we say that this or that person isn’t really English or British because they are not white, then we are on a very slippery slope.”

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Guardian.

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