UK national identity and belonging debates

Discussions regarding the nature of national identity in the United Kingdom have expanded to include debates over ethnicity, civic belonging, and religion.

Initial discourse focused on the distinction between civic identity and ethnic identity. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak argued against defining Englishness through ancestry or DNA, warning that such scrutiny creates a “slippery slope” and a “reverse Tebbit test” that undermines the belonging of minority citizens. Critics of this view suggested that ignoring ethnic layers of identity could fuel ethnonationalist resentment, while others argued that questioning the Englishness of non-white citizens implies they have a lesser claim to belonging.

This debate has since extended to the role of religion in national identity. Discussions regarding “Christian nationalism” emerged following statements from the Diocese of Southwark, which asserted there are “no grounds for the justification of Christian nationalism” in the Bible. Research into public attitudes shows a complex landscape; while a small minority believes one must be Christian to be truly British, only 1% of UK adults consider Christianity the most important factor for British identity.