The fundamental question of what it means to be British is moving to the centre of the nation's political discourse, underscored by a contentious row over the citizenship of activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah. New research indicates a significant shift in public attitudes, with a growing number of voters believing Britishness is defined by birthright rather than shared values.
Citizenship Row Exposes Deepening Divides
The case of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah has ignited a fierce debate. After a decade as a political prisoner in Egypt, he was allowed to arrive in the UK last week, only for racist and offensive tweets he posted 10 to 15 years ago to surface. The posts included calls to 'kill all Zionists' and to burn Downing Street during the 2011 riots, for which he has since apologised.
Politicians from the Conservatives and Reform UK have called for Abd el-Fattah to be stripped of his UK citizenship. This demand is particularly awkward for both main parties, as successive British governments campaigned for his release after he was granted citizenship in 2021. Observers note that such calls are likely amplified because Abd el-Fattah is a dual national from a minority ethnic background.
Downing Street, however, has stood firm, asserting his right to consular support like any other British citizen. His entitlement to a passport stems from the British Nationality Act 1981, as his mother is a British national, having been born in the UK.
The Changing Face of British Identity
A new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) sheds light on the evolving public sentiment that fuels such political arguments. Its findings reveal a striking change: 36% of people now believe you must be born British to be truly British, a figure that has nearly doubled from 19% in 2023.
This suggests a move towards defining nationality by ethnicity and ancestry, rather than viewing it as something attainable through integration and shared values like obeying the law and contributing to society. The cases of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai exemplify the diverse routes to British citizenship—through naturalisation and historical ties, respectively.
Political Battleground and the 'Overton Window'
The approaches of Reform UK and the Conservatives in the Abd el-Fattah case demonstrate how the Overton window—the range of policies politically acceptable to the mainstream—has shifted on issues of national identity and cohesion. Both parties have faced criticism over the past year for policies perceived to endorse mass deportations.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has positioned this debate as central to his government, framing the next election as a battle between his 'progressive patriotism' and Nigel Farage's 'incendiary nationalist politics'. However, some within his own party argue he has been too hesitant in advancing this narrative during moments of crisis, such as recent far-right marches.
As the IPPR concludes, building an alternative vision of the nation 'cannot be outsourced to a few speeches or policies'. It requires a sustained effort from the Prime Minister to articulate a clear story about Britain's identity and its future direction, a task made more urgent by these deepening societal divides.
