
Lizzi Collinge MP has been elected as the new chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG).
Rachel Hopkins MP had to stand down as chair due to getting a government position. Following on from that, Lizzi was unanimously elected by the group.
Lizzi is the new MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale. She mentioned humanism in her maiden speech in the House of Commons, saying:
‘I am a humanist. Humanists are people who shape our lives in the here and now, because we believe it is the only life we have, and what is politics if not shaping lives in the here and now? Humanists try to treat everyone we come across with warmth, understanding and respect. We believe that we humans have everything we need: logic, reason, evidence, and empathy to make good, ethical decisions.’
The APPHG is one of the oldest APPGs in Parliament and today has around 120 MPs and peers in membership from all parties. Humanists UK provides the secretariat for the Group. Labour MP Lizzi is joined as an officer by Vice Chairs from across the parties – the Conservatives’ Kieran Mullan MP, the Liberal Democrats’ Baroness Lorely Burt, and the Green Party’s Siân Berry MP.
The Group met this week to discuss the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the National Curriculum Review. It welcomed the direction of the review and many provisions of the Bill but also discussed how the Bill might be taken further to ensure better safeguarding for children and to prevent unintended consequences.
Lizzi Collinge said:
‘I am delighted to have been elected Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group. I look forward to raising humanist causes in Parliament and working with colleagues to see progress on issues ranging from education through to assisted dying and legal recognition of humanist marriages. This is an exciting time to become Chair and I expect in this Parliament we will see concrete steps to reform.’
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 humanists in Parliament.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 130,000 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.