Petitions/Stop automatically classifying people as “British by descent” without consent
StatusOngoing
Opened26 Mar 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

Stop automatically classifying people born abroad as “British by descent” if they have a British parent. They should retain their entitlement to hold British citizenship as at present, but this should be through their active choice and application, rather than being automatic without their consent.

From 25 February, those holding British citizenship, including any classified by “British by descent”, must travel to UK on a UK passport (cost around £100), renounce their citizenship (even if they never wanted it) costing £482, or obtain a “certificate of entitlement” costing £589. We view these as a financial penalty for those classified as British against their wishes. The rules apply to people just transiting through the UK, whereas non-Brits only require an ETA costing £16.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Ann Davies
1Ann Davies MP
Caerfyrddin
3
Laura Kyrke-Smith
2Laura Kyrke-Smith MP
Aylesbury
2
Danny Kruger
3Danny Kruger MP
East Wiltshire
2
Wera Hobhouse
4Wera Hobhouse MP
Bath
1
Alison McGovern
5Alison McGovern MP
Birkenhead
1
Baggy Shanker
6Baggy Shanker MP
Derby South
1
Damian Hinds
7Damian Hinds MP
East Hampshire
1
Justin Madders
8Justin Madders MP
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
1
Monica Harding
9Monica Harding MP
Esher and Walton
1
Alistair Strathern
10Alistair Strathern MP
Hitchin
1