In a groundbreaking development, Britain has witnessed a seismic shift in its political landscape with the election of the most irreligious parliament in its history.
A staggering 40% of MPs have chosen to make a secular affirmation, shattering the traditional religious oath-taking norm. This monumental change reflects the evolving beliefs of the British people, with a significant majority embracing secularism.
This can be said to be a new era of secularism. The 2024 parliament has made history with half of the cabinet, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, opting for the non-religious affirmation.
This marks a significant departure from the past, where religious oaths were the norm. Starmer, an atheist, is the first prime minister in decades to openly declare his lack of religious affiliation.
The numbers tell the story. A closer examination of the numbers reveals a striking trend. A total of 249 MPs out of 625 chose to affirm, while 338 swore on the Bible.
The remaining MPs either swore on other religious texts or did not disclose their choice. The analysis by Humanists UK highlights the growing trend of secularism in British politics.
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The Labour Party, led by Starmer, has emerged as the most irreligious party, with 47% of its MPs opting for the affirmation.
The Liberal Democrats follow closely, with 47% of their MPs also choosing the secular option. The Greens have all their four MPs affirming, while the SNP has six out of nine MPs doing the same.
As a reflection of the society, this historic shift in parliament reflects the changing beliefs of the British people. A whopping 53% of the population identifies as non-religious, while 42% do not believe in a god.
The UK has long been considered one of the least religious countries in the world, and this trend is now being mirrored in its parliament.
Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, hailed this development as a significant milestone. “For the first time ever, the number of those affirming versus swearing an oath has come close to reflecting the beliefs of the population as a whole.” Chine McDonald, Director of the Theos religion think tank.
