Rishi Sunak Defines Identity as 'British, English, Asian' Amid Racism Row
Rishi Sunak, the United Kingdom's first British Asian prime minister, has firmly asserted his identity as "British, English and British Asian" in a powerful response to escalating racially charged language from figures on the political right. The Southampton-born former Conservative leader made these remarks during evidence given to the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, which is co-chaired by Sajid Javid and Jon Cruddas.
Racially Charged Debate Sparks Sunak's Response
The debate over Sunak's identity was ignited when podcaster Konstantin Kisin controversially claimed that Sunak was not English because he is a "brown-skinned Hindu." This assertion was later given credence by Suella Braverman, the London-born Reform MP and former home secretary, who questioned whether individuals born in the country could necessarily claim an English identity. More recently, Matthew Goodwin, Reform UK's candidate in the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection, refused to disown claims that UK-born people from minority ethnic backgrounds were not necessarily British.
Speaking out for the first time since these interventions, Sunak reflected on the racism he and his siblings faced during their upbringing in Southampton, describing it as "seared in his memory." He expressed concern that Britain might be "slipping back" to a time when racism was more overt and widespread in public discourse.
Warning Against 'Shock Jockery' and Provocative Language
Sunak addressed what he termed a rise in "shock jockery," where individuals make outrageous statements to attract attention in the modern media landscape. He warned that the current attention economy rewards provocative and bigoted language, which he sees as a growing concern. "That's one of my worries about the attention economy, or whatever you want to call it, and how that works now, and how we consume media, is that it rewards people for that kind of provocative, bigoted language, whatever that language might be," Sunak stated.
He emphasized that while experiences of racism like his own are "less common" today compared to the past, there is always more work to be done. "I definitely wouldn't want us to slip back into a world where racist language was heard regularly on the street, or considered permissible on TV," he added, highlighting the importance of maintaining progress in social cohesion.
Multiple Identities and National Unity
Sunak articulated a vision of identity that embraces multiple layers without conflict. "We're all British, and underneath that, or alongside that, you can have lots of different identities that don't come into conflict with that. Of course you can," he said. He listed his own identities as: "I'm British, I'm British Asian, I'm British Hindu, English. Sotonian – what we call people from Southampton, and an apprentice Yorkshireman."
This statement serves as a direct rebuttal to claims that question the compatibility of ethnic or religious backgrounds with national identity. Sunak also referenced Sajid Javid's experiences with racism in 1970s Rochdale, as detailed in Javid's memoir, to underscore the shared challenges faced by British Asians.
Broader Context and Political Implications
The commission Sunak addressed is facilitated by the Together Coalition, founded by Brendan Cox, the husband of the late Labour MP Jo Cox, who was murdered by a far-right extremist. This context adds weight to Sunak's warnings about the dangers of divisive rhetoric. On immigration, Sunak expressed regret that he did not implement measures to reduce numbers sooner, acknowledging tensions that led to street violence in 2024.
He described these tensions as evidence that "something has gone wrong," exacerbated by Islamist extremists and the far right "feeding off each other." However, Sunak firmly rejected the notion that Britain is a racist country, citing his own career and that of Sajid Javid as examples of success. He also noted that his successor as Tory leader is "a Black woman who grew up in Nigeria," pointing to diversity in leadership.
Sunak's comments follow a speech by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who warned against allowing migration policy to be exploited "by people who think whiteness is the same thing as Britishness." This alignment highlights a cross-party concern over the politicization of race and identity in contemporary British politics.
