Humanists UK is gearing up for the party conference season, and during the next month, will have stands or fringes at the Green Party, Liberal Democrats, Conservative Party, and Labour Party conferences. This is your guide to engaging with Humanists UK and the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group over conference season.
Each conference gives attendees the opportunity to discuss humanist issues and campaigns with the major parties. As a charity, Humanists UK is strictly not party-political: for us, these conferences are a chance to lobby MPs and speak to activists from every political tradition.
Green Party Conference, Manchester, 6-8 September
Come meet Humanists UK staff and Green Humanists at our exhibition stand 17 to learn more about our key campaigns. If you’re a Green Humanists member, you can join its meeting at 9:00-10:15 on Sunday 8 September in Exchange 6/7 at Manchester Central Convention Complex. Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson will be speaking to Green Humanists members about our work and answering any questions.
The Liberal Democrat Party Conference, Brighton, 14-17 September
You can say hello to Humanists UK staff at our exhibition stand #34 to find out more about our campaigns and how you can get involved. Then at 18:15-19:15 on Monday 16 September we’ll be holding our Humanists UK Drinks Reception in the Consort Room, The Grand Hotel. We’ll be hearing from Freddie van Mierlo MP, Max Wilkinson MP, Claire Young MP, Steff Aquarone MP, Tom Morrison MP, Baroness Burt, Humanists UK’s Andrew Copson, and Humanist and Secular Liberal Democrats Chair Clare Delderfield.
You can also visit Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats at stand H15, and Andrew Copson will be speaking at its lunchtime fringe event ‘No-one should be enslaved…‘ Why a secular state would benefit everyone, alongside Tom Gordon MP on Sunday 15 September 13:00-14:00 in Meeting Room 1A.
Labour Party Conference, Liverpool, 22-25 September
Join Humanists UK and Labour Humanists at its annual drinks reception on Monday 23 September in ACC Arena Room 10 from 18:30–20:00. The reception will include high-profile speakers like Dame Angela Eagle MP, Rachel Hopkins MP, Ruth Cadbury MP, Dame Nia Griffith MP, Lord Dubs, The Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee, and Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson.
You can also meet with Humanists UK staff and volunteers at exhibition stand D6 at the conference centre.
Conservative Party Conference, Birmingham, 29 September-2 October
Join Humanists UK and Conservative Humanists’ drinks reception to discuss key issues of interest to the non-religious, from blasphemy at home and abroad to inclusive education. Speakers include Cllr Neil Garratt AM, Leader of London City Hall Conservatives, and Dr Ruth Wareham, Humanists UK Education Policy Researcher. The reception will be held at 20:30-22:00 on Monday 30 September in the Drawing Room at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham.
The party political humanist groups (Labour Humanists, Green Humanists, Conservative Humanists, or the Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats) are independent humanist groups within the political parties themselves. They bring non-religious people together in each of those respective parties to advocate for humanist issues and a more secular and rational approach to politics.
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Campaigns Manager Kathy Riddick at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
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.
The party political humanist groups (Labour Humanists, Green Humanists, Conservative Humanists, or the Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats) are independent humanist groups within the political parties themselves. They bring non-religious people together in each of those respective parties to advocate for humanist issues and a more secular and rational approach to politics.