Who counts as English?

Who is actually English? In this video I explore a question that seems simple on the surface but quickly becomes complicated: who should be considered English today? Is it about genetics and ancestry? Is it about citizenship and legal status? Or is it something deeper — a shared culture, history, and identity that has evolved over centuries? Across the Western world, debates about identity, nationality, and belonging are becoming increasingly intense. England is no exception. As immigration, globalisation, and changing definitions of nationality reshape societies, the meaning of being “English” is being questioned more than ever. In this reflection I explore the different ways people define English identity, including: • Genetic and ancestral roots • Legal citizenship and nationality • Ethnic identity vs national identity • Cultural belonging and historical continuity Rather than offering a simple answer, the goal is to unpack the different perspectives and ask what they reveal about modern England — and about Western societies more broadly. This is part of a wider series on identity, culture, and the forces shaping the modern West, viewed from the perspective of a Brit who has spent the last eight years living in Poland. If this resonated, drop your flag in the comments: 🇬🇧 🇵🇱 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇦🇺 🇪🇺