Influential study shows that 'true Brits' must be born in the UK and speak English

According to the study, a huge percentage of the population believe that being a Brit is something people need to be born with – and cannot learn.

16:19 17 June 2014

The 31st NatCen Social Research British Social Attitude survey revealed that a huge percentage of the UK population believe that the trait of Britishness is something that people need to be born with.  

 

74per cent of the respondents say that one must be born in Britain while 77per cent say that one must have lived in the country for most of his/her life to be considered a Brit. Also, 95per cent said that to be “truly British” you must speak English. 

 

Under this definition, the likes of Boris Johnson, iconic Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley, Mistletoe and Wine singer Cliff Richard and even Prince Phillip would not be considered really British. 

 

Penny Young, chief executive of NatCen Social Research, said: "In an increasingly diverse, multi-cultural country, we might expect people to be more relaxed about what it means to be British, yet the trend is going in the opposite direction.

 

"It is now harder to be considered British than in the past and one message comes through loud and clear, if you want to be British, you must speak English.

 

"And as we debate whether UKIP's vote will hold up in the General Election, British Social Attitudes shows that the public is yet to be convinced that politicians have got a grip on immigration.

 

"They want tougher rules on benefits and many are unaware of the policies that are in place to control immigration."