Religion and politics

Published on Wed 25th Oct 2006

Religion is big in the news at the moments and the political approach we take is very important. I am an honorary associate of the National Secular Society which means that I am keen to see religion kept separate from the state and from public functions. So for example I do not think that state funded schools or hospitals should be run exclusively for certain religions or that religious organisations should have preferential treatment compared to non-religious ones.

A good example is the out-dated idea that our King or Queen as head of state should be "Defender of the Faith", that is a special defender of Protestantism. Given the bloody sectarian history of this country with one version of Christianity burning alive those of another version and then vice-versa, it is surely time to end the link of Crown with religion. Given the way that Catholics have been persecuted in this country over the years, the ridiculous rules which prevent a monarch marrying one - or being one - must end. We must not have Bishops sitting in Parliament as of right and MPs should not have turn up to prayers at the start of the day to book a seat.

As for Prince Charles' idea that he should be the "Defender of [all] Faith", that is even worse as it simply singles out those who are not religious to be "undefended".

Having said all that the way that some politicians have gone on about the veil is highly irresponsible. Clearly teachers should work in schools with their face visible and so I believe that the Employment Tribunal came to a sensible judgement on the question of Ms Azmi the teaching assistant who insisted on wearing one when male teachers were around. . But I simply can not understand jack Straw saying that he asks muslim women wearing a face veil who come to see him in his surgery to remove it. It is hard enough for some people - especially ethnic minority women to get to see their MP - without fearing they will be confronted by such an impertinent request. Mr Straw and his supporters may not like it - I don't like eyebrow rings - but it is not up to MPs to tell people what to wear! It would also be a fashion disaster of course.

The race relations minister who called for the sacking of the muslim teaching assistant before the Tribunal had even met was way out of order. David Cameron was right to call for political restraint, but he should have a word with his mate David Davis, who said that muslims were causing voluntary apartheid - another inflammatory comment.