New research has uncovered a significant and concerning shift in public attitudes towards national identity in Britain, with a growing number of people adopting ethno-nationalist views.
A Sharp Rise in Exclusionary Views
The study, conducted by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and shared exclusively with the Guardian, found that the proportion of people who believe a person must be born in Britain to be truly British has almost doubled in just two years. A YouGov poll from this month revealed that 36% of people now hold this view, up from 19% in 2023.
While a majority still see Britishness as rooted in shared values, the analysis warns of a rising tide of ethno-nationalism. The most extreme views are concentrated among supporters of Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. The research found that 71% of Reform backers believe British ancestry is a prerequisite for being truly British, and 59% see the nation as an ethnic, rather than a civic, community.
Reform UK Voters and Racial Conceptions of Identity
The findings present a stark picture of the beliefs held by a segment of Reform UK's support base. More than a third (37%) of the party's voters stated they would be prouder of Britain if there were fewer people from minority ethnic backgrounds in ten years' time. Strikingly, 10% said having white skin was important to be a good British citizen.
Parth Patel, an associate director at IPPR, described the trend as "worrying." He stated: "Politicians and activists on the right are trying to change how we think about ourselves and one another... Worryingly, they are starting to change the hearts and minds of some people in Britain."
The Broader Picture and Political Response
Despite these shifts, the research confirms that popular opinion overall still supports a progressive, values-based vision of British identity. A majority of supporters for all other major parties, including the Conservatives, view Britain as a civic community.
When asked what makes a good citizen, the public prioritised obeying the law (64%), raising kind children (62%), and working hard (48%). Only 8% cited sticking up for British-born people, and just 3% mentioned white skin.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has directly confronted these ethno-nationalist narratives. In a recent conference speech, he declared a "fight for the soul of our country," vowing to combat those who claim skin colour determines nationality.
The research follows events highlighting far-right mobilisation, including a September march in Westminster organised by Tommy Robinson that attracted between 110,000 and 150,000 people. Senior politicians, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, have both spoken out against ethno-nationalism, with Badenoch revealing she has faced online abuse focused on her race.
Nick Garland, an IPPR associate fellow, emphasised that "a vast majority of the public still believes in a nation built on shared values." He called on the government to set out a "compelling alternative vision of the nation: a story of who we are that looks forward, not back."
