Humanists UK and Wales Humanists are pleased to announce the appointment of their newest patron, Leanne Wood MS. Wood is a leading politician who joins a stable of over 170 Humanists UK patrons with distinguished careers in arts, literature, science, academia, politics, and community and civic activism.
Leanne Wood is best known for her tenure as the first female leader of Plaid Cymru from 2012 to 2018. She has been a political representative since 2003; Originally elected via proportional representation as an Additional Member for the South Wales Central region, and later elected as a constituency Senedd member for Rhondda.
Wood has been a strong supporter of Wales Humanists’ campaign for inclusive schools in Wales. After supporting a popular petition from Welsh school children Rhiannon and Lily to end compulsory collective worship in Wales, she attempted to hold the Welsh Government to account on the issue in subsequent parliamentary sessions. In 2020, she spoke out against the law again, citing that the compulsorily Christian aspect of collective worship conveys the message ‘that Christianity tops all of the other religions and… undermines the message that you are giving in your religious education.’
She is known for her involvement in the trade union movement, having previously chaired the all-party Public and Commercial Services Union group in the Senedd. In her time as Member of the Senedd, she has been responsible for the Sustainability, Environment, Social Justice, and Housing portfolios for Plaid Cymru. Her leadership platform in 2012 included a call for ‘real independence’, emphasising economic and environmental concerns alongside Plaid Cymru’s aim of an independent Wales.
Wales Humanists coordinator Kathy Riddick commented:
‘We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Leanne Wood into the fold. Leanne is a shining example of someone who isn’t afraid to stand firm on the issues she believes in, including on issues around religion in schools. We’re extremely grateful for her support.’
Wales Humanists is non-partisan and humanists organise within all of the major parties of the Welsh Parliament. Other patrons of Wales Humanists and Humanists UK include Labour frontbencher Julie Morgan MS, leading zoologist Dr Iolo ap Gwynn, geneticist Professor Steve Jones, actor Kimberley Nixon, humanist celebrant and former MS Lorraine Barrett, Labour peers Neil and Glenys Kinnock, and the author Jon Ronson. Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan also previously served as a patron of Wales Humanists and Humanists UK until his death.
Notes
Wales Humanists is part of Humanists UK. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 85,000 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.
Humanists UK has over 170 patrons who support its work in various ways through their expertise and prominence in various fields. Existing patrons include significant figures from the spheres of science, philosophy, human rights activism, politics, the arts, and broadcasting. The President of Humanists UK is the anatomist, author, and broadcaster, Professor Alice Roberts. She is supported by Vice Presidents Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor AC Grayling, Shappi Khorsandi, and Polly Toynbee.