MPs demand prayers in Parliament are scrapped in drive to modernise House of Commons
MPs have demanded that prayers in Parliament are scrapped, saying the tradition has no place in the 21st century.
The Government faces calls to abolish prayers at the start of the day as part of its drive to modernise Parliament. The tradition – which dates back to the 16th century – has been branded “outdated and outmoded”.
Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan told The Mirror the demand has cross-party support. He has put forward a motion and written to the Commons Modernisation Committee calling for an end to daily prayers.
He said: “Having prayers at the beginning of the day feels like an outdated and outmoded practice. In a modern workplace it doesn’t really make a lot of sense.” The Poole MP, who was first elected in July, went on: “We now have quite a diverse group of Parliamentarians with different religious beliefs, and people like myself who have no religion at all.
“They have to wait outside waiting for the prayers to end.” Sittings in both the Commons and the Lords start with prayers – a practice believed to date back to around 1558. The current approach is thought to have been introduced during the reign of King Charles II.
Cameras are not allowed in the chambers during the prayer sessions. Mr Duncan-Jordan has put forward an early day motion saying prayers in the chamber are “not compatible with a society that respects the principles of freedom of and from religion”.
It called on the Modernisation Committee to “consider alternative arrangements”. The motion has been signed by three Labour MPs, three Lib Dems, two Green MPs and one from the SNP.
In a letter to the committee, Mr Duncan-Jordan and seven other Labour MPs wrote: “Sittings in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords begin with Anglican prayers – one of the many privileges given to the Church of England due to its established status.
“Given that 46% of MPs took the secular affirmation or swore on a non-Christian text, we believe that the continued use of this procedure is now out of date and needs replacing. With such a diverse Parliament, we need to make it clear that MPs of all religions and beliefs are equally welcome and valued.”
And the letter continued: “The imposition of prayers as part of Parliament’s official business is no longer compatible with a society which respects the principle of freedom of religion or belief and removing this practice would be a positive step forward for modernity, equality and freedom of conscience.”
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has previously told the National Secular Society – which has called for prayers to be scrapped – there is “no harm in a moment’s private reflection for Members before they begin Chamber business”.
