A former Labour leader has expressed confidence in the prime minister’s dedication to reversing Brexit, signaling a potential shift in political strategy regarding the UK’s future relationship with the European Union. Meanwhile, a senior Reform UK figure has challenged a colleague’s controversial remarks, insisting that cultural and ethnic heritage should not disqualify individuals from identifying as English. The debate highlights differing views on national identity, with one side arguing for an inclusive definition of Englishness while another frames it as an ethnic and historical concept. The exchange underscores ongoing tensions within the Conservative-aligned party over immigration, citizenship, and the meaning of belonging in modern Britain.
Former Labour leader says he believes the prime minister has an ‘authentic commitment’ to taking the UK back into the EUAndy Burnham promises ‘serious dialogue’ over UK’s relationship with EUZia Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesperson, has said he does not agree with his colleague Suella Braverman’s assertion that black people cannot be English.Asked about her views in an interview on Sky News, Yusuf said:In my view Ashley Cole is the best English fullback in history, and I won’t take any other position. So in my view, Ashley Cole is English. I think the argument that he’s not English doesn’t hold water with me.Nasser Hussain, who I grew up watching when I went to the cricket, the idea that those people aren’t English is an alien concept to me.I would respectfully disagree with people, who make the opposite argument.To say I’m English is to take a ‘laissez-faire, anything-goes’ attitude to ethnicity, citizenship and identity. It also denies me my Asian heritage. The liberals (many of them in today’s Conservative party) take this cosmopolitan approach to Englishness. They’re terrified of being called racist so they say that anyone, as long as they’re born here, can be English.I take the conservative approach. Englishness is an ethnicity. There have been English people for centuries and we need to recognise this more if we are to start taking a more muscular approach to citizenship and nationality. And no, it’s not racist to say this. Continue reading...
