New research has uncovered a significant and concerning shift in public attitudes towards national identity in Britain, with a surge in the number of people who believe being British is defined by ethnicity and birthplace rather than shared values.
A 'Worrying' Shift in National Identity
According to exclusive analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), the proportion of people who think a person must be born in Britain to be truly British has almost doubled in just two years. A YouGov poll conducted this month found that 36% of people now hold this view, a sharp rise from 19% in 2023.
The study warns of a rising tide of ethno-nationalism, fuelled by hard-right narratives. While a majority still see Britishness as rooted in shared values, a growing minority view it as a product of ancestry and ethnicity. Parth Patel, an associate director at IPPR, described the trend as "worrying," stating that activists on the right are "starting to change the hearts and minds of some people in Britain."
Reform UK Supporters Hold Most Extreme Views
The research identified clear partisan divides, with supporters of Nigel Farage's Reform UK holding the most extreme views. Among Reform voters, 71% said having British ancestry was a prerequisite for being truly British, and 59% believed the nation was an ethnic, not a civic, community.
Strikingly, more than a third (37%) of Reform UK voters said they would be prouder of Britain if there were fewer people from minority ethnic backgrounds in ten years' time. Furthermore, 10% stated that having white skin was important to being a good British citizen.
In contrast, a majority of supporters for all other major parties, including the Conservatives, viewed Britain as a civic community defined by shared values.
The Fight for a Progressive Vision
Despite the shift, the study confirms that popular opinion overall still supports a progressive, inclusive vision of British identity. When asked what makes a good citizen, the top answers were obeying the law (64%), raising children to be kind (62%), and working hard (48%). Only 8% cited sticking up for British-born people above others, and just 3% mentioned having white skin.
Looking to the future, people prioritised practical concerns: 69% said a well-functioning NHS would make them proud, followed by affordability (53%) and housing (36%). Far fewer cited reducing immigration (28%) or ethnic diversity (13%).
The IPPR has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to build on his conference speech, where he vowed to fight the hard right in a "fight for the soul of our country." The thinktank urges the government to articulate a compelling, forward-looking vision of national renewal based on shared values.
The findings come amid heightened political tension. Reform UK has faced criticism for policies threatening mass deportation, while senior politicians like Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch have spoken out against the "ethno-nationalist" abuse they face online. The research underscores the urgent challenge of countering divisive narratives and reclaiming an inclusive story of what it means to be British.
