MPs have backed a bill to add "Black English" and "Asian English" options to the census in England, with a second reading set for St George's Day — as Tommy Robinson accuses its supporters of trying to erase English identity.
Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde introduced the English Ethnic Identity (Census Particulars) Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday, November 10, under the Ten Minute Rule. The Commons agreed to its first reading, and the bill is set for a second reading on Friday, April 23, 2027 — St George's Day. It was printed as Bill 178.
The bill would add categories such as "Black English", "Asian English" and "Mixed English" to the census in England. At the 2021 census, "English" appeared only under the White ethnic group, so Black and Asian respondents were offered British identities but no English equivalent. Babarinde told MPs: "Do you have to be white to be English? This St George's Bill says, 'No, you do not.'"
Nothing is taken away: "White English" stays exactly where it is, and so do "Black British", "Asian British" and the rest. The bill's sponsors include Labour's David Lammy and Adam Jogee, Conservatives Sir James Cleverly, Ben Obese-Jecty and Mark Pritchard, and Liberal Democrats Victoria Collins, Munira Wilson and Layla Moran. No MP spoke against the bill.
Tommy Robinson reacted to the bill on X on Thursday, writing: "They're not only trying to erase the English as an ethnicity. The people who gave them everything. But using our scared day to do so." The post's video shows the Commons chamber, with a caption giving the second-reading date as Friday, April 23, 2027.
Despite the cross-party backing, the bill is unlikely to be considered further in its current form because of a lack of parliamentary time, the BBC reported. Private member's bills rarely become law without government support and time on the floor.