The British Nationality Act 1981

The British Nationality Act 1981 redefined UK citizenship by establishing distinct categories: British citizens, mainly from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; and other nationals like British Overseas Territories citizens and British subjects. It replaced the previous system of "commonwealth citizenship" with clearer rules, determining who automatically qualifies for British citizenship based on factors such as birthplace, descent, and residency. The Act aimed to modernize nationality laws, strengthen the concept of British citizenship, and manage immigration effects, allowing some individuals to acquire or lose citizenship under specific conditions while maintaining the right for many to identify as British.