What do the parties say? Comparing key humanist issues to party positions in the 2016 National Assembly for Wales elections

Wales Humanists Labour Conservatives Plaid Cymru Liberal Democrats UK Independence Party Green Party (Eng & Wales) question Manifesto link https://humanism.org.uk/NAW https://humanism.org.uk/NAW https://humanism.org.uk/NAW https://humanism.org.uk/NAW https://humanism.org.uk/NAW https://humanism.org.uk/NAW 2016Lab * 2016Con * 2016PC * 2016LD * 2016UKIP * 2016Green * ‘Would you support non- Have proposed replacing RE No. In England has opposed When contacted by the BHA Yes. When contacted by Wales No stated policy, but its 2015 Yes. Party policy states religious worldviews with a new subject of ‘Religion, inclusion of Humanism when before the 2015 UK general Humanists, said ‘We would UK general election Christian ‘Education should encourage such as Humanism being Philosophy and Ethics’.1 This recently reviewing GCSE and A election, said ‘Following the support all worldviews, both manifesto says ‘teaching about critical engagement with, and taught equally alongside will quite possibly involve more level RE syllabuses, beyond a Donaldson review into the religious and non-religious Christianity will be a core part non-dogmatic exposure to, religions in schools?’ teaching about non-religious few mentions. But did require school curriculum, we believe being taught in schools. It is of religious education. RE diverse, sometimes competing, worldviews. schools to study two religions at that there should be less micro- important that religious and shouldn’t be disparaging worldviews and beliefs – GCSE level for the first time.2 management of schools. cultural education teaches towards Christianity, or to any whether based on culture, However, it’s important that children about a broad range of other religion, but taught in a religion or spirituality… [Faith- schools don’t favour one beliefs, and doesn’t privilege neutral manner explaining the based] Religious instruction… perspective over the other.’ particular belief systems.’ reasons why some people may only take place outside of believe and others don’t. school curriculum time.’4 Children should be taught about all religions’.3 ‘Would you support fully No. Supportive of ‘faith’ schools No. Will ‘Provide free school When contacted by the BHA Yes. When contacted by Wales Its 2015 UK general election Yes. Party policy states ‘No inclusive admissions and have not committed to transport to more pupils before the 2015 UK general Humanists, stated support for Christian manifesto says ‘UKIP publicly-funded school shall be with no religious reducing the percentage of attending their nearest faith… election, said ‘We don’t have a ‘faith’ schools, but also moves backs faith schools provided run by a religious selection in all state- places which they are able to school.’ The UK Government is specific policy on this but we towards inclusive admissions they are open to the whole organisation.’10 funded schools, select in admissions. supportive of ‘faith’ schools.5 It believe that parents have the policies: ‘No child should be community… [and] do not including “faith” ‘supports inclusive admission right to decide upon an prevented from attending a discriminate against any section schools?’ arrangements’,6 but has no appropriate education for their good school simply because of of society’.8 But have also said plans to reduce the degree of children. Faith schools are their parents’ religion.’7 that employment discrimination religious selection. funded by the state should be ‘should be a matter for the properly scrutinised for public schools and no one else’.9 benefit.’

* All party policies come from the respective party manifestos unless a specific reference is given. 1 BHA news item ‘Welsh Government wishes to replace “Religious Education” subject in schools with “Religion, Philosophy and Ethics”’, August 2015: https://humanism.org.uk/2015/08/03/welsh-government-wishes-to-replace-religious-education-subject-in- schools-with-religion-philosophy-and-ethics/ 2 New GCSE Religious Studies subject content, February 2015: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-religious-studies 3 UKIP Christian Manifesto, April 2015: http://www.election2015.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/UKIPChristian_Manifesto-1.pdf 4 Green Party education policy: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ed.html *All party policies come from the respective party manifestos unless a specific reference is given. 5 Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron comments to the Lancashire Telegraph, March 2015: http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/11861293.GENERAL_ELECTION_2015__Prime_Minister_David_Cameron___s_free_schools_plan_triggers_debate/ 6 Conservative Schools Minister Lord Nash comments in Parliament, July 2013: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldhansrd/text/130722-0001.htm#st_2 7 Also told Wales Humanists, ‘The Federal party supports ending the opt-out from employment and equalities legislation for staff in faith schools, except those principally responsible for religious instruction, and repealing the existing legal requirement for all state-funded schools to hold acts of collective worship.’ 8 UKIP Christian Manifesto, April 2015: http://www.election2015.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/UKIPChristian_Manifesto-1.pdf 9 Paul Nuttall Q&A in The Guardian, March 2015: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/mar/17/ukip-education-policies-schools-paul-nuttall 10 Green Party education policy: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ed.html What do the parties say? Comparing key humanist issues to party positions in the 2016 National Assembly for Wales elections Wales Humanists Labour Conservatives Plaid Cymru Liberal Democrats UK Independence Party Green Party (Eng & Wales) question ‘Would you support Has not legislated to this effect No. Does not support making ‘All schools will teach a healthy Yes. When contacted by Wales No. ‘UKIP will: ensure all Yes. Its 2015 UK general making a high-quality, in the Welsh Government, but PSHE and SRE statutory, as they relationships agenda… Schools Humanists, said ‘We support parents are made fully aware of election manifesto supports comprehensive personal is campaigning to this end in ‘trust schools to provide the will promote a positive attitude the creation of a stronger and sex education teaching making ‘PSHE (including sex and and social education and England.11 The Donaldson right education for their towards other pupils’. more inclusive sex and materials before they are used’ relationships education, and sex education Review of the Welsh National pupils’.13 In the 2011 Welsh election relationship curriculum in and ‘continue to respect their also first aid) compulsory.’ SRE curriculum statutory in Curriculum, which the pledged to ‘ensure schools Wales which properly deals right to withdraw children’. will be ‘age-appropriate and Welsh schools?’ Government has accepted, has deliver preventative education with issues of gender identity, Does not support making PSHE LGBTQ-inclusive – in all schools ‘Health and wellbeing’, which about domestic violence, sexuality, consent and healthy and SRE statutory, and wants to from primary level onwards.’16 includes ‘sex and relationships’, gender equality, healthy relationships at the earliest scrap all SRE for primary school as one of its six Areas of relationships and self-esteem.’14 appropriate age.’ children.15 Learning and Experience.12 ‘Would you support an Yes. Its 2015 UK general No plans to do so in the UK Yes. ‘[We] propose the Yes. When contacted by Wales No stated policy. Yes. Party policy states that the end to the archaic policy election manifesto says ‘Labour Government. Its 2015 UK following structure for a new Humanists, said ‘we support a House of Lords ‘should be of reserving seats for is committed to replacing the general election manifesto says settlement: …the House of fully elected second chamber abolished and replaced by a Church of England House of Lords with an elected ‘While we still see a strong case Lords to be abolished and with no reserved seats for second chamber directly Bishops in the House of Senate of the Nations and for introducing an elected replaced by a new Second Bishops.’ In 2012, proposed elected by proportional Lords?’ Regions, to represent every part element into our second Chamber, the Council of legislation in Westminster to representation.’20 of the United Kingdom, and to chamber, this is not a priority in Nations’. reform the House of Lords that improve the democratic the next Parliament’.18 increased the proportion of legitimacy of the second bishops, but party policy is that chamber.’17 there should be a fully elected second chamber.19 ‘Would you support the Yes. Committed to giving legal The Prime Minister’s Office When contacted by the BHA Yes. When contacted by Wales No stated policy. Its 2015 UK Yes. ‘Clearly the law should legalisation of humanist recognition to humanist blocked the legal recognition of before the 2015 UK general Humanists, said ‘Our manifesto general election Christian allow those who wish to have a marriage in Wales, marriages if returned to power humanist marriage in 2014.22 election, said ‘We don’t have a in 2015 contained a manifesto says ‘UKIP opposed humanist marriage ceremony which has been hugely in Westminster.21 The UK Government instead party policy on this issue.’ commitment to permit same-sex marriage legislation the same rights as couples who popular in Scotland asked the Law Commission to humanist weddings… our because it impinged upon the want a religious ceremony with since its legalisation in review wider marriage law,23 colleagues in Westminster beliefs of millions of people of the celebrant of their choice. 2005?’ and is now considering again fought to legalise humanist faith’ but ‘We will not repeal The Green Party is committed whether or not to legalise in marriage [by amending the the legislation, as it would be to ending the current light of the review’s outcome. Marriage (Same Sex Couples) grossly unfair and unethical to discrimination as soon as Act 2013]… but were prevented ‘un-marry’ loving couples or possible.’25 by the Conservatives.’ restrict further marriages’.24

11 Labour press release on Shadow Education Secretary Lucy Powell committing to SRE and PSHE, March 2016: http://press.labour.org.uk/post/141478207064/labour-commits-to-compulsory-pshe-as-david 12 Successful Futures: Independent Review of Curriculum and Assessment Arrangements in Wales, Professor Graham Donaldson, February 2015: https://hwbplus.wales.gov.uk/schools/6714052/Documents/Donaldson%20Report.pdf 13 Conservative Schools Reform Minister Nick Gibb comments in Parliament, March 2015: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm150310/halltext/150310h0002.htm#150310h0002.htm_spnew3 14 Plaid Cyrmu’s 2011 Welsh Assembly manifesto: http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/uploads/Manifesto_2011/Main_maniffesto_English_SP.pdf 15 Press release from UKIP education spokesperson Paul Nuttall, February 2015: http://www.ukip.org/labour_sex_education_plans_a_disgrace 16 Green Party 2015 UK general election manifesto: http://humanism.org.uk/GE2015Green 17 Labour Party 2015 UK general election manifesto: http://humanism.org.uk/GE2015Lab 18 Conservative Party 2015 UK general election manifesto: http://humanism.org.uk/GE2015Con 19 Liberal Democrats 2012 Federal Conference report motion on ‘Reform of the House of Lords’: http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/libdems/pages/2012/attachments/original/1390841944/Conference_Report_Brighton_2012.pdf 20 Green Party public administration policy: https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pa.html 21 Labour Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Baroness Thornton comments to the BHA, December 2014: https://humanism.org.uk/2014/12/18/labour-pledge-legalise-humanist-marriages-government-blocks-proposals-disappointing-thousands- couples/ 22 Sunday Times report, December 2014: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/Politics/article1496012.ece 23 Outcome of Government consultation on humanist marriage, December 2014: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/388986/marriages-by-non-religious-belief-organisations.pdf 24 UKIP Christian Manifesto, April 2015: http://www.election2015.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/UKIPChristian_Manifesto-1.pdf What do the parties say? Comparing key humanist issues to party positions in the 2016 National Assembly for Wales elections

Wales Humanists Labour Conservatives Plaid Cymru Liberal Democrats UK Independence Party Green Party (Eng & Wales) question ‘Would you oppose any Yes. Has been campaigning No. The UK Government is Yes. Its 2015 UK general Yes. When contacted by Wales No. Its 2015 UK general election Yes. Party policy states ‘The moves in Westminster to against the repeal of the currently pursuing its manifesto election manifesto states ‘We Humanists, said ‘We have manifesto states, ‘UKIP will Green Party supports the weaken our human Human Rights Act.26 commitment to ‘scrap the support the Human Rights Act fought in Wales and in withdraw from the jurisdiction Human Rights Act... fully rights settlement, Human Rights Act, and and the European Convention Westminster to protect our of the European Court of supports the right of appeal to, including pulling out of introduce a British Bill of Rights. on Human Rights, and will human rights legislation, Human Rights. We will repeal and the primacy of, the the European This will break the formal link oppose any moves by a UK including membership of the the Human Rights Act and European Court of Human Convention on Human between British courts and the Government to withdraw from European Convention on replace it with a new British Bill Rights in Strasbourg... [and] will Rights – which is European Court of Human those.’28 Human Rights and the Human of Rights.’29 seek the incorporation into law essential in protecting Rights’.27 Rights Act. We are firm of the United Nations fundamental human believers in human rights and Convention on the Rights of the rights and freedoms?’ always will seek to uphold Child.’30 them.’ ‘Would you support the No plans to legalise. Party No plans to legalise. The Prime When contacted by the BHA When contacted by Wales No. Its 2015 UK general election Yes. Party policy supports legalisation of assisted leaders support a free vote on Minister supports a free vote on before the 2015 UK general Humanists, said ‘We regard this Christian manifesto says ‘UKIP assisted dying for both the dying for people who are the issue.31 56% of Labour MPs the issue, but told MPs that he election, said ‘We don’t have a as a matter of conscience for has no plans to change existing terminally ill and incurably terminally ill or are that voted on the issue in was ‘not convinced that further party policy on this issue.’ individual party members or legislation on euthanasia or the suffering, given appropriate permanently and Westminster in 2015 voted steps need to be taken. I worry parliamentarians. Our Federal “right to die.”’36 safeguards.37 incurably suffering, in against legalisation.32 about legalising euthanasia party policy supports legislation order to protect their because people might be being providing for medical assistance right to autonomy and pushed into things that they to die to be available to self-determination?’ don’t actually want for patients in particular themselves’.33 88% of circumstances, subject to Conservative MPs that voted on rigorous safeguards to prevent the issue in Westminster in abuse.’ 50% of Lib Dem MPs 2015 voted against that voted on the issue in legalisation.34 Westminster in 2015 voted against legalisation.35

25 Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett blog entry on the Green Party website, December 2014: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/leaders-blog/2015/01/11/humanist-marriages-of-course/ 26 Then-Leader of the Opposition Harriet Harman speech, September 2015: http://press.labour.org.uk/post/121664291859/in-defence-of-human-rights-speech-by-harriet 27 Conservative Party 2015 UK general election manifesto: http://humanism.org.uk/GE2015Con 28 Plaid Cymru 2015 UK general election manifesto: http://humanism.org.uk/GE2015Plaid 29 UKIP 2015 UK general election manifesto: http://humanism.org.uk/GE2015UKIP 30 Green Party rights and responsibilities policy: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/rr.html 31 Guardian report on progress of Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill, January 2015: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jan/17/assisted-dying-bill-held-up-in-the-house-of-lords 32 House of Commons Assisted Dying Bill vote results, September 2015: http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2015-09-11&number=69 33 David Cameron statement to Parliament, July 2014: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140716/debtext/140716-0001.htm#140716-0001.htm_spmin34 34 House of Commons Assisted Dying Bill vote results, September 2015: http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2015-09-11&number=69 35 House of Commons Assisted Dying Bill vote results, September 2015: http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2015-09-11&number=69 36 UKIP Christian Manifesto, April 2015: http://www.election2015.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/UKIPChristian_Manifesto-1.pdf 37 Green Party health policy: https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/he.html What do the parties say? Comparing key humanist issues to party positions in the 2016 National Assembly for Wales elections

About Wales Humanists

Wales Humanists is part of the British Humanist Association. The BHA 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. We promote Humanism, support and represent the non-religious, and promote a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief. Founded in 1896, we have around 40,000 members and supporters, and over 90 local and special interest affiliates.

Wales Humanists and the BHA are independent of all political parties and do not support, fund or advocate any particular political party.

All party policies come from the respective party manifestos unless a specific reference is given. Where policies are not stated we contacted the parties to seek further clarity and the table incorporates any replies we received. If you spot something where you think we’ve got it wrong, or have missed a piece of information, then please do contact us.

Some of the issues we discuss are not devolved to Wales and so the parties’ policies are aimed at the UK Government in Westminster, and not the National Assembly for Wales.

You can find out more about our election work at www.humanism.org.uk/NWA2016

For more information please contact:

Kathy Riddick Richy Thompson Development Officer Campaigns Manager British Humanist Association British Humanist Association 07470 395090 020 7324 3072 [email protected] [email protected] www.humanism.org.uk