Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions, Burnham responded positively to a question by Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey on whether he would support a 10-minute bill proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde calling for the inclusion of ‘black English’ and ‘Asian English’  options for the next census, which is due to be held in 2031.

The census currently allows respondents to define themselves as ‘white English’ but has no similar options for ‘black English’ and ‘Asian English’. Similar options are already included in censuses in Scotland and Wales.

Burnham said in PMQs: “I haven’t looked at the detail of the bill, but I stand here thinking that I would want to support that bill to directly take on the poisonous politics that we’ve seen from some in this house who are seeking to divide us.

“We must move on from a decade of division and drift in this country. We must bring people back together. I am interested in working with anyone in this house who shares that aim.”

In his question, Davey had criticised other MPs who had argued on a race-based definition of ‘Englishness’, saying: “We must reject it, as the Conservative leader, to her great credit, has done. We should start with the census, with the only English option, when you are asked about your ethnicity, is white English.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had previously used her keynote speech at the Conservative Party conference last month to criticise politicians who had questioned the Englishness of minority groups.

The 10-minute rule in parliament allows MPs to propose a private members’ bill through a speech of up to 10 minutes outlining the proposal, with another MP allowed the option of a speech of similar length to oppose. MPs then vote on whether the bill should be introduced.