Jenrick says millions in England are not 'culturally or ethnically' English as identity row on the Right escalates

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026.

Reform's treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick has declared that 'millions and millions' of people holding British passports are not culturally or ethnically English, wading deeper into a row that is splitting the Conservative and Reform right. Jenrick said the debate over whether only white people can be English is 'perfectly normal', insisting 'there is such a thing as English ethnicity'. The intervention comes after Suella Braverman, who defected to Reform, sparked the row by saying she did not consider herself English despite being born in London.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch had used her conference speech to declare herself a 'proud black Briton' and accused Reform of taking Britain backwards on race.

Labour's Wes Streeting broke ranks to back Badenoch, expressing 'total support' for her remarks on Englishness.

Jenrick also attacked the Conservatives as the party of the wealthy rather than workers, deepening his break with his former party.