Petitions/Ratify the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 1989 (ILO Convention 169)
StatusOngoing
Opened1 Apr 2026
Closes
Government responsePending
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones 10,000

We ask the Government to ratify ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and consider whether it would be appropriate to formally recognise the English, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, and Manx as the indigenous peoples of Great Britain and its isles.

We believe this would affirm their ancient cultural, linguistic, and genetic continuity. Britain's native peoples have inhabited these islands continuously since post-Ice Age times, with many recent genetic studies showing deep ancestry predating known major migrations. Recognition under ILO 169, and UNDRIP principles which the UK endorsed, would we believe protect distinct identities, languages, and heritage without exclusion. Comparable cases exist, e.g., Māori (arrived ~13th century, recognised in NZ) and Sámi (Bronze Age presence, recognised in Scandinavia). We believe this is about historical truth and cultural equity.

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Constituency engagement ranking

Alison McGovern
1Alison McGovern MP
Birkenhead
36
Dame Angela Eagle
2Dame Angela Eagle MP
Wallasey
36
Jo Platt
3Jo Platt MP
Leigh and Atherton
35
Tom Hayes
4Tom Hayes MP
Bournemouth East
33
Nigel Farage
5Nigel Farage MP
Clacton
32
Dame Caroline Dinenage
6Dame Caroline Dinenage MP
Gosport
32
Peter Dowd
7Peter Dowd MP
Bootle
31
Mr Jonathan Brash
8Mr Jonathan Brash MP
Hartlepool
31
Laurence Turner
9Laurence Turner MP
Birmingham Northfield
30
Ms Polly Billington
10Ms Polly Billington MP
East Thanet
29