Success for Humanists UK at Liberal Democrat Conference
Publisher: In-Sight Publishing
Publisher Founding: September 1, 2014
Publisher Location: Fort Langley, Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Publication: Freethought Newswire
Original Link: https://humanists.uk/2024/09/18/success-for-humanists-uk-at-liberal-democrat-conference/
Publication Date: September 18, 2024
Organization: Humanists UK
Organization Description: Humanists UK is the operating name of the British Humanist Association. We are a charitable company (no. 228781), formed in 1896 and incorporated in 1928, and registered in England and Wales. Our governing document is our Articles of Association, which can be viewed here.
Humanists UK enjoyed great success this week at the Liberal Democrats Party Conference where we staff heard from MPs of the critical importance voters placed on humanist issues during the election campaign.
Humanists UK is not party-political but we attend party conferences in order to meet with parliamentarians and other influential stakeholders to advocate for humanist issues, and to engage with our party-political members and supporters. We were also at the Green Conference and will be at the Labour and Conservative Conferences.
At the Lib Dem Conference we had both a stand and a fringe event, while our affiliated group Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats (HSLD) had a fringe. We had many MPs by our stand, discussing key campaigns like humanist marriages, assisted dying, and education, and found widespread support for our position. That included many key frontbenchers. One MP told us ‘We heard humanist issues much more on the doorstep this election’, showing the increasing significance of our work.
On Monday we had well over 100 guests at our fringe, with people being turned away at the door. Five new MPs spoke at the event, namely Freddie Van Mierlo, Tom Morrison, Claire Young, Max Wilkinson, and Steffan Aquarone. As did All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group Vice Chair Baroness Lorely Burt, HSLD Chair Claire Delderfield, and Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson.
Andrew Copson also joined the HSLD’s panel ‘No one should be enslaved…’ Why a secular state would benefit everyone on 15 September. The well-attended event was chaired by HSLD Vice-Chair Jenni Wilkinson. Speakers at the panel included the newly elected MP Tom Gordon and Baroness Burt.
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about our work with party political humanist groups.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 120,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
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