Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

British or English

279 replies

Dellspoem · 06/03/2025 16:32

Currently having a conversation/ debate with a friend. Are you British or English? Do you consider one a nationality and one an ethnicity?

My Asian family members describe themselves as British Asian. Saying 'I'm English' is synonymous with something else, mainly because of the connotations with the English flag and nationalism.

They are both geographic locations, so technically this shouldnt be that different. And you don't get the same with Scottish or Welsh.

What are your thoughts?

OP posts:
Topseyt123 · 06/03/2025 16:38

My nationality is British. I am also English though, having been born and brought up in England (not in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland).

NetballHoop · 06/03/2025 16:37

I'm British despite being born in England. None of my grandparents were born in England and only one of my parents.

LlynTegid · 06/03/2025 16:37

I'm Welsh.

If I was not, I would be English first and British second. England (and Wales and Scotland) are countries. Though as racists in England have often hijacked the flag in living memory if not now, can understand why someone with heritage and/or birth in India (for example) would say British Asian.

ShamrockShenanigans · 06/03/2025 16:36

British - Irish here and born/bred in England.

My BIL would also say British - Irish and he was born/bred in Wales.