Parliament rejects calls to abandon Christian prayers

The Leader of the House of Commons has refused to scrap the historic practice of parliamentary prayers.

Humanists UK claims that the time of prayer is discriminatory because it allows MPs to reserve seats, but responding to the criticism, Lucy Powell MP emphasised that Parliament remains “attached to the Church of England”, and that committee members can reserve a seat without attending prayers.

Parliamentary prayers, which MPs can choose to join before each sitting of the Commons, are thought to have been first introduced in 1558.

Christian heritage

The Christian Institute’s Director, Ciarán Kelly, welcomed the Government’s rejection of activist demands.

“Whether Humanists UK admits it or not, parliamentary prayers are part of the Christian heritage of our country.

“These complaints, which are disguised as democratic concerns, are really another attempt to drive Christianity out of public life.”

Voluntary

Earlier this year, Shockat Adam MP, who is Muslim, defended the use of parliamentary prayers as a “part of our Christian heritage and Parliament’s traditions”.

The Independent member for Leicester South was opposing an Early Day Motion urging Parliament to abandon the practice, and he told the Mail on Sunday: “They’re not compulsory, so MPs have a choice whether to attend or not. So I see no reason for them not to continue”.

The motion ultimately received just 16 signatures, with the majority of signatories belonging to the Humanist All Party Parliamentary Group.

Over a thousand Early Day Motions are tabled every year but almost none are debated further.