Humanists UK mourns the death of its member Lord Meghnad Desai, a distinguished economist, peer, and committed humanist, aged 85. Lord Desai was a vocal advocate for secularism and human rights, consistently championing causes aligned with humanist values throughout his illustrious career in academia and the House of Lords.
Born in Vadodara, India in 1940, Lord Desai became a prominent figure in economics, particularly known for his work in Marxian economics and development studies. He taught at the London School of Economics (LSE) from 1965 to 2003, where he founded the Centre for the Study of Global Governance. He was active in the Labour Party, chairing the party between 1986 and 1992, and was created a life peer in 1991. In 2023 he became a crossbencher.
His commitment to a fair and open society was evident in his parliamentary contributions. He was an active member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) and consistently raised important questions concerning the role of religion or belief in public life. He pressed for the legal recognition of humanist marriages, including in 2022 when he signed a joint letter urging the government to take action, and in several oral questions of recent years. He called repeatedly for the legalisation of assisted dying.
He also spoke against the proliferation of state-funded religious schools, signing a letter in 2019 urging the government to ban new state schools that can select 100% of pupils based on their religious beliefs. He did so again in 2024, calling on the Education Secretary to keep the faith school admissions cap. He also campaigned for collective worship to be replaced with inclusive assemblies. In a debate in 2021 on a Bill trying to achieve just that, he said ‘is a very strange idea that moral and spiritual education can be done by getting people and haranguing them’.
Commenting on Lord Desai’s death, Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘Meghnad was a powerful voice for reason and humanism in public life and a dear friend. His unwavering commitment to secularism and humanist values were deeply appreciated by Humanists UK and the wider humanist community. He will be greatly missed by us and by all who admired his dedication to a more rational and compassionate world.’
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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 07534 248 596.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 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.