Where do the parties stand on key issues of concern to humanists? Today Wales Humanists are publishing a table giving an overview of their views on issues of concern to their members and supporters, ahead of the upcoming National Assembly for Wales election.
Wales Humanists put 7 questions to the various parties last month, and has produced the table by drawing on these responses, the parties’ manifestos, and other sources.
The questions asked were:
- Would you support non-religious worldviews such as Humanism being taught equally alongside religions in schools?
- Would you support fully inclusive admissions with no religious selection in all state-funded schools, including faith schools?
- Would you support making a high-quality, comprehensive personal and social education and sex education curriculum statutory in Welsh schools?
- Would you support an end to the archaic policy of reserving seats for Church of England Bishops in the House of Lords?
- Would you support the legalisation of humanist marriage in Wales, which has been hugely popular in Scotland since its legalisation in 2005?
- Would you oppose any moves in Westminster to weaken our human rights settlement, including pulling out of the European Convention on Human Rights – which is essential in protecting fundamental human rights and freedoms?
- Would you support the legalisation of assisted dying for people who are terminally ill or are permanently and incurably suffering, in order to protect their right to autonomy and self-determination?
Northern Ireland Humanists has similarly been asking questions of the parties, and the two groups have also been encouraging their supporters to contact their candidates. Meanwhile, in London, LGBT Humanists organised a hustings with representatives of the six biggest parties.
Kathy Riddick, Wales Humanists Coordinator, commented: ‘Respecting and promoting freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are key ways in which humanists seek to embody their values, and that means exercising their voting rights. We hope that this table will enable our members and supports to make a fully informed decision when choosing who to support in the upcoming assembly election, as well as to engage in the democratic process more generally.’
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For further information, please contact Kathy Riddick, Wales Humanists Coordinator on 07881 625378, or Campaigns Manager Richy Thompson on 020 7324 3072.
Wales Humanists is part of the British Humanist Association. The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.