Opinion piece published Ilford Recorder and Romford Recorder March 2025
In February MPs from across the Commons backed a motion to end prayers as part of the formal business of the House. Havering Council, who still follow this archaic practice, may wish to take note.
The motion is supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist group, comprising over 120 MPs and peers. It calls for the House to recognise that “…religious worship should not play any part in [its formal business]… that Parliamentary meetings should be conducted in a manner…equally welcoming to all attendees, irrespective of their personal beliefs… that Parliamentary prayers are not compatible with a society that respects the principles of freedom of and from religion…and calls on the Modernisation Committee to consider alternative arrangements.”
Prayers are the first item on the agenda of each full Havering council meeting. As with Parliament, they are almost invariably Anglican. Havering gave an Imam the opportunity to say an Islamic prayer in 2022. It was a baby step towards recognising that council chamber business should be inclusive and representative of the electorate it serves.
The Christian box, comprising all denominations, was ticked by just 52% of Havering respondents in the 2021 census. 6% ticked the Muslim box. 31% ticked the ‘No religion’ box, making this the second largest belief group in the Borough. Many will be Humanists, that is non-religious people who aim to lead a good life. You don’t have to label yourself a Humanist to be one, any more than you have to go to church to be a Christian.
In 2021 I was appointed Humanist chaplain to the then Mayor of Redbridge. My role included starting council meetings with a non-religious reflection. There is no evidence of a moral or spiritual vacuum in the chamber that year. My themes around mutual respect, serving the community, kindness, cooperation, being mindful of the environment and looking after the disadvantaged were simply based on decent values. All the feedback, from religious and non-religious alike, was positive.
Different faith and belief representatives address Tuesday sessions in the Scottish Parliament. The Northern Ireland Assembly begins formalities with two minutes of silent prayer or contemplation. The Welsh and London Assemblies have no such rituals. Whether or not we think formal moments of reflection benefit our democratic institutions, there is no case in 2025 for these to be dominated by one minority Christian sect.
Paul Kaufman
Chairperson, East London Humanists
