There has been a great deal of hysteria – much of it from the Conservative Party – over the recent high court ruling on prayer at council meetings.
But at least one Tory councillor – Imran Khan of Reigate and Banstead council – is speaking sense on the issue:
“Religion has no place in politics,’ he said. ‘This high court judgement is a victory for everyone who believes that democracy and religious freedom is the cornerstone of western free society. No-one should be disadvantaged because of their religion, or lack of religion, from freely participating in local democracy.”
“The judgement clearly states that councillors are welcome to pray before meetings, thus respecting religious values in councils. Under the old regime, I had to wait outside the room while everyone else was praying. This meant that it appeared as if I was being late or just plain disrespectful to other people’s religion as I walked across the floor afterwards.”
“This also set me apart from all the other councillors as someone who ‘rocked the boat’. The ruling means everyone can still pray, but I can be present at the meeting from the beginning.”
That sounds like the clearest and most sensible explanation of the ruling I’ve heard so far. Eric Pickles, take note…
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