Thu 13 Feb 2025 by Donna Birrell
The centuries-old tradition of saying Anglican prayers in Parliament could be scrapped after a group of MPs put forward a motion calling for an end to the practice.
Currently, sittings in both Houses of Parliament begin with prayers, in a tradition which is believed to date back to the reign of King Charles II in the 16th century.
A group of 9 MPs (Labour, Lib Dem, Green and SNP) have written to the Commons Modernisation Committee saying the prayers are ‘one of the many privileges given to the Church of England due to its established status.
‘Given that 46 per cent of MPs took the secular affirmation or swore on a non-Christian text, we believe that the continued use of this procedure is now out of date and needs replacing. With such a diverse Parliament, we need to make it clear that MPs of all religions and beliefs are equally welcome and valued.’
The letter goes on to describe the prayers as an ‘imposition’ which are ‘no longer compatible with a society which respects the principle of freedom of religion or belief and removing this practice would be a positive step forward for modernity, equality and freedom of conscience.’
The MP for Poole Neil Duncan-Jones, who is among the signatories, told the Mirror that having prayers in Parliament was “outdated and outmoded” and that the practice wasn’t compatible in a modern workplace. He said he personally doesn’t have a faith and that today’s Parliamentarians are a “diverse group with different religious beliefs”.
Cameras aren’t permitted during prayer sessions, but MPs who attend are able to use a prayer card to reserve their seat in the House for the rest of the day. Critics of the system say that means those who don’t attend are less likely to secure a seat on busy days and are less likely to get a chance to speak.
Commons’ Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has previously told the National Secular Society that he believed there is “no harm in a moment’s private reflection for Members before they begin Chamber business”.
