Iwan Lloyd, School of History

Denaturalisation Returns

Much has been written about individuals' struggles to claim citizenship, yet the inverse process remains relatively neglected. Shamima Begum ignited a venemous and visible debate over the efficacy, legality, and morality of stripping individuals of their citizenship. However, this case was not unique. In the UK, the state practice of revoking citizenship has fallen in and out of fashion over roughly 100 years. The first half of the 20th century witnessed its construction and rise in popularity, it fell out of favour during the second half, and has re-emerged from its slumber over the last 20 years. I will account for the mechanisms behind this yo-yoing favour by presenting the stories of three individuals who struggled to retain their citizenship, each an archetypal example from each aforementioned period. In doing so, I will illuminate the stipulations of citizenship, which may confront the audience's conceptions of "Britishness".

BA International History and Politics, Final Year (he/him/she/her/they/them)
I love writing history, poetry, and music. I hate writing about myself.