Reform UK councillors have made a complaint after a council meeting opened with a nonreligious reflection and a moment of silence instead of prayers.
At East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s full council meeting last week, Liberal Democrat council chair Linda Johnson delivered a “secular reflection” due to the absence of her chaplain. She requested the reflection be followed by a moment’s silence.
However, a Restore Britain councillor interrupted the silence by reciting the “Lord’s Prayer” as soon as the council rose for the observance.
The incident follows the imposition of the Lord’s Prayer on at least three Reform-controlled councils and attempts by Reform to restrict Islamic prayers at two others.
Council chair reads “secular reflection in the interest of inclusivity”
Opening the meeting, Cllr Johnson said she is “very conscious that there are councillors here from different religions and worldview backgrounds”, which is why she prepared “a more secular reflection in the interest of inclusivity rather than the Lord’s Prayer”.
Her reflection said: “We are gathered here to serve our community bringing with us different backgrounds, perspectives and ideas.
“Let’s be mindful of the responsibility entrusted to us in our upcoming discussions. May we listen to one another with open minds and respectful hearts.
“Let us cultivate the patience to seek common ground and the courage to make decisions that prioritise the wellbeing of all whom we represent.
She added: “May our work today be marked by fairness, integrity, and a deep commitment to democracy”.
Cllr Johnson, who is a Methodist preacher, then invited councillors to silently reflect on those words and to “mutter the Lord’s prayer under your breath” if they wished.
But Restore councillor Maria Bowtell began to loudly recite the Lord’s Prayer, while other councillors joined her in saying “amen” afterwards.
The Reform group has now complained to officials regarding the fact that Cllr Johnson did not say the Lord’s Prayer out loud.
Reform councillor Denise Howard said: “It might have been a one-off – but inform us first.
“Call me old fashioned but I enjoy that bit.”
Cllr Johnson said she was shocked “that I am being criticised for something I haven’t actually done and Reform are politicising this.
“Everyone was invited to pray the Lord’s Prayer, I just didn’t say it out loud.”
She said she “hadn’t done away” with the Lord’s Prayer and her chaplain would be at the next meeting, adding: “I have had many messages of support from non-Christians saying they found my inclusive approach thoughtful and refreshing.”
Reform has recently introduced recitals of the Lord’s Prayer at Derbyshire, Essex and Kent county councils.
But the party has objected to Islamic prayers in Arabic at Birmingham City Council. It also attempted to abolish Islamic prayers at Bolton Council last week, saying: “the formal proceedings of the Council should be conducted in a manner that is religiously neutral”.
Last year, a Conservative councillor at a Worcestershire County Council meeting also objected to the lack of prayers due to the absence of the chaplain and began reciting Christian prayers himself. Councillor Tony Miller was forced to apologise after he said he hoped there were no “heathens” present, which the National Secular Society said breached council rules regarding respect and equality.
NSS: Imposing Christian prayers “straight out of the Christian nationalist playbook”
NSS head of campaigns Megan Manson said: “Once again, Reform UK have revealed their double standards and hypocrisy when it comes to council prayers.
“In one council, they call for the end of prayers and for a ‘religiously neutral’ approach to council business.
“Yet in the same week, at a different council, they cannot tolerate even a one-off, secular alternative to prayers.
“The key difference between the two councils is that the former has Islamic prayers, and the latter Christian.
“Attempting to shut down more inclusive approaches to council meetings and foisting Christian prayers on council business is straight out of the Christian nationalist playbook.
“Council prayers are inherently sectarian, divisive and discriminatory. Council business should be conducted in a manner welcoming to all councillors, staff and members of the public, regardless of their religion or belief. That means ending this outdated and exclusionary practice”.