‘Unite behind shared values to protect human rights and freedoms’ – Humanists at Lib Dem conference

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson called on Liberal Democrats with humanist and religious beliefs to unite behind shared values to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in an increasingly authoritarian world at the party’s conference in Bournemouth this week. 

Andrew Copson was speaking at the Humanists UK reception for the Liberal Democrat party conference and was joined by Liberal Democrat humanist MPs Christine Jardine, Caroline Voaden, Claire Young, and Cameron Thomas, members of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group. Mr Copson reflected that ‘humanist values come from our humanist beliefs; that every human being matters. When we look into the fact of another person, we see our own shared humanity and on that basis we know that universal human rights are the only way forward for any sort of civilized world order.’

Humanist campaigning and fringes

Humanists UK attended the conference in Bournemouth to advocate for humanist campaign issues such as the legal recognition of humanist weddings, passing the assisted dying bill, campaigning against blasphemy laws, and an end to religious discrimination in education. Dozens of MPs and peers, as well as Liberal Democrat councillors and party members, joined Humanists UK at their stand and found out how to get involved in the campaigns, as well as hear about the great work of humanist celebrants, pastoral supporters and school speakers across the country. Humanists UK will also be attending the party conferences of the Labour, Conservative and Green parties.

Andrew Copson also spoke at two conference fringe events. Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats held an event on ‘Reason, Rights, Renewal: Liberal and Humanist Internationalist Values in Times of Uncertainty’, discussing the potential for a liberal humanist response to advancing populism, nationalism and religious authoritarianism around the world. Andrew Copson also spoke for humanism and the need for shared values  at the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum debate on ‘Does religion help or hinder the Lib Dems?’ 

Concluding the reception at the Humanist UK Liberal Democrat party conference reception, Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented on the long-standing shared campaigning work between Humanists UK and the Liberal Democrat party, and the need to focus on shared values of tolerance, secularism, freedom of thought and belief and human rights in increasingly divisive and authoritarian times. 

Andrew Copson said:

‘There are other people who don’t have our humanist beliefs and instead take their beliefs from the religious traditions of the world but who share our values. It is imperative that we come together in the defence of the order that has been so essential for progress and underpinned the peace dividend of the long 20th century that we continue to enjoy today. Political parties unite people of different beliefs in the pursuit of shared values, and that’s what we seek to support and sponsor through the humanist movement.’