Lord Davies of Brixton (Lab)

As “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” had it, do you have that strange feeling of déjà vu? We have been here before; it is becoming a regular event—but that is quite right. It is an issue upon which I have strong views, and I always welcome the opportunity to express them. I speak as a corridor child, although that was more to do with train timetables than any point of principle. However, I can testify to the pointlessness of being excluded from the life of a school, which is an inevitable result of the current approach. The Education (Assemblies) Bill is a necessary and overdue reform that seeks to replace the requirement for daily acts of Christian worship in non-faith schools with inclusive assemblies that cater for all students, regardless of their religious belief. In my view, the Bill represents a significant step towards ensuring that the education system in England reflects the diversity and inclusivity of modern British society. There is clearly a need for that. I welcome that there has been a genuine debate at Second Reading. I note in particular that the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Chelmsford referred to the flexibility of the current system. We need to be clear that that flexibility is available essentially because of an element of hypocrisy: enforcement of the terms of the law is not always followed through, which is clearly an unsatisfactory situation. The requirement enshrined in the 1944 Act, reinforced in subsequent legislation, does not reflect the reality of today’s multicultural and multifaith society. The UK is home to people of many different religions and to many, including me, with no religion at all. According to the 2001 census, almost 40% of people in England and Wales identify as having no religion, and a growing proportion of the rest do not identify as Christian. Forcing students to participate in Christian worship—because that is effectively what happens—is not only out of step with societal changes but contradicts the principles of freedom of belief. While parents have the right to withdraw their children from these acts of worship, that places an unfair burden on families and can isolate children from their peers. Despite my strong views, I never sought to withdraw my children from collective acts of Christian worship, because they were part of the life of the school. In a sense, you were coerced into participating in what is, essentially, a charade. The Bill proposes a simple but powerful change: replacing mandated Christian worship with inclusive assemblies that promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all pupils. I note that the right reverend Prelate, in setting the terms for what she wanted to see take place in schools, introduced the word “worship” into what should be regarded as an acceptable school assembly. I do not know how widely held that view is, but it is the worship that is the problem; it needs to be excluded from activities that are part of the collective life of the school. Under this Bill there would still be opportunities for reflection, moral education and community building, but in a way that does not privilege a religious perspective over others. Such an approach would ensure that all students feel equally valued and respected, regardless of their personal beliefs. Schools would have the flexibility to design assemblies that encourage critical thinking, ethical discussions and a sense of community, without requiring participation in religious practices. I very much support this Bill and hope it will progress and, at long last, even possibly change the law.