Humanists UK is attending the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences this year and has a stand and fringe event at both. Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats had a stand and ran two fringe events at the Liberal Democrats Party Conference which took place last weekend.
Conservative Party Conference (Sunday 3 to Wednesday 6 October)
Come meet Humanists UK and Conservative Humanists staff and volunteers at our exhibition stand 92B to learn more about our key campaigns.
Love a wedding? Join us to nibble on some cake and raise a glass at Humanists UK’s Wedding Reception. The event will celebrate humanist weddings and call for their legal recognition in England and Wales. Speakers include Crispin Blunt MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group; Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK; Hannah McKerchar, humanist celebrant; and James Baird, Chair of Conservative Humanists. The event is taking place in the secure zone (so you will need a conference pass) on Monday 4 October from 20:30–22:00 in the Fairclough Suite in the Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Labour Party Conference (Saturday 25 to Wednesday 29 September)
Come visit us at our exhibition stand, number 28, to say hello and learn more about our humanist campaigns and community work.
Fancy a free breakfast? We are also holding our regular breakfast fringe event, the Humanists UK Breakfast, on Monday 27 September from 08:15–9:30 in the Lancaster Room in the Hilton Brighton Metropole. We have a brilliant line-up of humanist speakers including Jeff Smith MP; Dame Angela Eagle MP; Rachel Hopkins MP; and Andrew Copson, Humanists UK Chief Executive, to discuss topical humanist issues of the day, such as humanist marriages, inclusive assemblies, and assisted dying. You will need a conference pass to attend.
The Liberal Democrats Party Conference (Friday 17 to Monday 20 September)
The Liberal Democrats held their party conference online this year due to Covid. Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats (HSLD) held two fringe events.
The first was joint with the Liberal Democrats Christian Forum on the Forgotten Human Right: Freedom of Religion or Belief. This explored how the fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief protects everyone, whatever their beliefs, and identified that the right is increasingly attacked around the world. The event was chaired by Wera Hobhouse MP, the Equalities Spokesperson, and included Marguerite Ohan, from Christian Solidarity Worldwide; and Emma Wadsworth-Jones, from Humanists International.
The second event was titled Why Aren’t School Assemblies Inclusive?, which explored All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group Vice-Chair Baroness Burt’s Education (Assemblies) Bill, which had its second reading last Friday. The event discussed how the Bill would make assemblies in non-religious schools inclusive for all students, regardless of their religion or belief, and why this matters. Speakers included Baroness Burt, HSLD Co-President; Reverend Stephen Terry, Chair of the Accord Coalition, which campaigns to end religious discrimination in state schools; and Lee and Lizanne Harris, who had to go to court to assert their right not to have a religion they don’t hold imposed on their children.
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For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3072 or 020 3675 0959.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by 100,000 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.
In 2021, Humanists UK is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a renewed focus on its history. The new website Humanist Heritage is a rich new web resource that uncovers the untold story of humanism in the UK – a story of people, groups, objects, places, movements, publications, and ideas.