Zahawi and Rees-Mogg clash with Braverman over English identity

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Oct, 16:18 · Archive

Nadhim Zahawi insists non-white people can be English, putting him at odds with fellow Reform UK member Suella Braverman.

Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK from the Conservative Party and insisted that non-white people can be English. His comments put him at odds with fellow Reform UK member Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, who has stated that despite being born in England, speaking English and supporting the England football team, she is not English. Braverman said: 'My family and ancestors have a link to Britain which spans centuries. But in no way are we English.'

Jacob Rees-Mogg has criticised Braverman's position as 'ridiculous', suggesting that even he would fail her test for Englishness. Braverman, a British Asian, suggested that the definition of being English involves certain cultural values, saying that to claim Englishness would mean accepting a 'laissez-faire, anything-goes' approach.

How it is being reported

• Even I'm not English under Suella Braverman's 'ridiculous' test, says Jacob Rees-Mogg as he swipes at Reform UK defectorsDaily Mail · 5 Oct, 16:06
• Reform UK's Nadhim Zahawi Insists You Don't Have To Be White To Be EnglishHuffPost UK · 4 Oct, 11:04

In this story: Nadhim Zahawi · Suella Braverman · Jacob Rees-Mogg · Reform UK · England

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