Category Archives: Uncategorized

Opinion piece published East London Advertiser and Barking & Dagenham Post October 2024 Constitutional reform isn’t the sexiest of subjects. But three facts about the House of Lords might grab your attention. First, it has over 800 members, more than … Continue reading →

Opinion piece published Barking & Dagenham Post, Ilford Recorder and Docklands & East London Advertiser September 2024. Parents, pupils and teachers are gearing up for the new school year.  So too are volunteer Humanist school speakers like me. Visits are … Continue reading →

Its official. The UK has elected the most openly non-religious House of Commons in history. Roughly 40% of MPs chose to take the secular affirmation instead of a religious oath during their swearing-in ceremony last week. That’s up from 24% … Continue reading →

The upcoming election raises new prospects for social reform. Humanists are keen to work with whoever comes to power to achieve progress. The scope for change is illustrated by the remarkable number of draft Bills actively supported by Humanists UK … Continue reading →

Mainstream party leaders speak admirably about the importance of social harmony. But some have a blind spot when it comes to the crucial question of children’s education. The latest Government proposal to allow 100% religious discrimination in all state schools … Continue reading →

The ‘prayer ban’ at Michaela Community School in Brent has hit the headlines again following the recent High Court judgement. The controversy highlights the pressing need to reform our archaic laws on religious worship for state-educated children. Michaela school was … Continue reading →

The recent report that the Gospel Oak to Barking Line is to be renamed the ‘Suffragette Line’ is great news.  Celebrating these heroines from East London helps put recent fatuous remarks by Home Secretary James Cleverly into perspective. Like his … Continue reading →

A row over prayers at a West London school has hit the headlines. But there’s a bigger picture that should be grabbing our attention. The row concerns Britain’s so-called ‘strictest headteacher’, Katharine Birbalsingh, taken to court over a ban on … Continue reading →

Reform is badly needed to give the terminally ill their last human right – freedom to choose how and where to die. Opinion piece Barking & Dagenham Post 11.1.24 (below). Also for publication Romford Recorder, Ilford Recorder, Docklands and East … Continue reading →

Opinion piece published Barking & Dagenham Post, Romford Recorder, Docklands & East London Advertiser November/December 2023, transcribed below These are grim times, but reading about a star birdwatcher cheered me up! The story of David Lindo, recently appointed a patron … Continue reading →