AN SNP MP is seeking to ban the more than 400-year-old practice of opening the day in the House of Commons with prayers.
Aberdeen North MP Kirsty Blackman has put her name to an early day motion which says that “prayers should not form part of the official business of Parliament”.
The motion, put forward by Labour backbencher Neil Duncan-Jordan (below), says that starting the day’s business with prayers is “not compatible with a society that respects the principles of freedom of and from religion”.
It adds that parliamentary business should be “conducted in a manner that is equally welcoming to all attendees, irrespective of their personal beliefs”.
The Commons Modernisation Committee, tasked with updating the archaic procedures of the ancient legislature, should consider alternative arrangements, the motion says.
MPs use the prayers section to secure seats for the rest of the day’s business, according to the National Secular Society, which is campaigning against the practice.
The organisation said: “Parliamentary prayers serve to assert the dominance of Christianity (and the Church of England in particular) at Westminster.
“This 'tradition' is inimical to a modern, pluralistic, secular democracy.”
Speaking to The National, Blackman said: “Parliament should recognise that many MPs are not Christian and those who are may not be Church of England.
“In the last census over 55% of Scots said they had no religion. Yet, if I wish to reserve a seat for the day I am forced to sit through prayers.”
She said there should be a “system in place” for MPs to be able to secure seats without having to sit through “a religious event”.
“Parliament must recognise that MPs are of many different faiths or of no faith and respect our rights to this,” Blackman added.
The Scottish Parliament does not begin the days proceedings with prayers but instead has a “time for reflection” as the first item of business on a Tuesday.
While often religious, the time for reflection does not necessarily need to be led by a cleric. Speakers in recent years have included a Pagan, a Muslim community leader, a Rabbi and non-faith figures, including a secondary school headteacher.
The tradition of beginning the day’s business with prayers dates back to around 1558 and was common practice by 1567, according to the UK Parliament’s official website.
They are believed to have taken their present form during the reign of Charles II.
The service, voluntary and led by the Speaker's Chaplain, urges God to guide MPs so that they “never lead the nation wrongly through love of power, desire to please, or unworthy ideals”.
