Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats

Welcome to the Humanist and Secularist Liberal Democrats' web site

Humanist & Secularist Liberal Democrats is for all Liberal Democrats, of all faiths and none, who seek an end to privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief, and believe in a humane and evidence-based approach to public ethical issues.

We are an Associated Organisation within the party, and are affiliated to both the British Humanist Association and the National Secular Society.

Recent updates

AGM report: Your new(-ish) committee and constitution

Article: Dec 2, 2015

At a packed AGM on September 20th, your new committee was elected, with a healthy injection of members joining the committee for the first time.

Since then, we've brought on board another two members and promoted one, so the line-up is now:

* CHAIR: Toby Keynes

* VICE-CHAIR: Vera Head

* SECRETARY: Kay Kirkham
Your Essential Events guide - Bournemouth Conference, 19-23 September 2015

Article: Sep 10, 2015

The HSLD Essential Events guide to the Bournemouth Conference is now published, with four more reasons to come to Conference in Bournemouth.

Download it here for much more about the following events:

HSLD: The Challenges Facing Secularism in Britain Today, + AGM; Sunday evening, 6.15-7.15pm

CentreForum: Fundamentalism, Radicalisation and the Use of Terror; Monday morning, 9.30-10.30am
2015 AGM - 20th September, Bournemouth

Article: Aug 27, 2015

Our 2015 AGM is at 6.15pm on Sunday 20th September, at the Marriot Highcliff Hotel in Bournemouth.

All members and supporters are welcome, and conferencegoers can also attend.

This is an important meeting where members will receive a report of our work and our accounts for last year. You can quiz the outgoing committee, elect the new one and even stand for election yourself.
Come to Conference - Bournemouth, 19th-23rd September

Article: Aug 3, 2015

This autumn's Conference in Bournemouth will be a major marker in our party's history: the first UK conference since the General Election, Tim Farron's first conference as party leader, and the starting point for the review of fundamental principles that will shape party policies over the coming years.
BHA publishes scorecard for the major parties on humanist issues

Article: May 4, 2015

The British Humanist Association has published a General Election scorecard on facebook showing how the major UK parties perform on issues that are particularly relevant to humanists:

You can judge for yourself how well the Liberal Democrats and Greens perform.

It's a very welcome surprise to see the Conservatives committing that they will stand up internationally "for the freedom of people of all religions - and non-religious people - to practice their beliefs in peace and safety..." (Conservative Manifesto, page 76). If only all their other policies were as inclusive towards non-religious people.
We'll outlaw caste discrimination - Clegg

Article: Apr 27, 2015

During the launch of the party's General Election Manifesto, Nick Clegg has expanded on the manifesto commitment to "outlaw caste discrimination", saying:

"Equality and fairness are the cornerstones of what makes a democratic society.
"We will be taking a pro-active approach towards combating caste discrimination and tackling inequality in all aspects of our society.

"Liberal Democrats are rightly proud of a commitment to equality that goes back decades, and the vision for a fair, free and open society is enshrined in our constitution.

"We reject any notion that the circumstances of someone's birth should determine their future role in society."

Currently, caste discrimination and harassment is not explicitly covered by British discrimination legislation. However, the Equality Act 2010 includes the provision that, by order of a Minister, caste may be treated as an aspect of race.

Because some religions are almost wholly low caste, some cases of caste discrimination and harassment may be covered by religious discrimination provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

However, for caste discrimination and harassment, religious provisions are likely to be less effective than caste-specific provisions and are unlikely to provide protection for members of a mixed-caste religion (including many Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Muslims) or for atheists.

Liberal Democrat plans tried to address this in 2014, but were blocked by the Conservatives; as far as we're aware, we are still the only party with a Manifesto commitment to tackle caste discrimination.

An estimated 400,000 Dalits - widely known as "untouchables" - who are regarded as being beneath the caste system, live in the UK.
Sarah Noble - resignation

Article: Apr 17, 2015

By Gary McLelland, Chair, HSLD

The Executive Committee of HSLD has received a number of complaints relating to the personal tweets of one of our Committee members, Sarah Noble. The Executive Committee would like to emphasise that these tweets do not in any way represent the views of HSLD.

There is no process under our constitution for removing a member from the Executive Committee, or for reviewing their membership; however after discussion with Sarah she has agreed to resign voluntarily.
A Manifesto To Be Proud Of

Article: Apr 16, 2015

The Liberal Democrat manifesto was published yesterday.

There's plenty of meat in its 158 pages, but we hope these extracts demonstrate that our party is way ahead on the issues that matter to secularists and humanists:

MANIFESTO 2015. STRONGER ECONOMY. FAIRER SOCIETY. OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

BRITAIN IN 2020: THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT VISION
Scottish Conference decision: support for assisted dying

Article: Apr 2, 2015

By Gary McLelland

I'm incredibly proud that the Scottish Liberal Democrats have now voted to support the right of people with life-shortening conditions to seek help to end their lives. The Choice, Compassion And Dignity At End Of Life motion was passed at the Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference in Aberdeen on Saturday 21^st March.
New Scottish policy in full: assisted dying

Article: Apr 2, 2015
This policy was submitted by Gary Mclelland, HSLD Chair.

It was passed, unamended, by an overwhelming majority at the Scottish party conference in Aberdeen on Saturday 21st March 2015.

Compassion, dignity and choice at the end of life

Conference notes that:
1. Assisted dying is currently an option for citizens of: the Netherlands; Belgium; Luxembourg; Switzerland; Columbia, and five US states (Washington; Oregon; New Mexico; Vermont and Montana).
2. The Federal Party passed a motion supportive of the principles contained within this motion at Federal Conference in autumn 2012 (F20: Medically Assisted Dying), spring 2004 (Assisted Dying) and autumn 1997 (Assisted Dying).
3. In 2010 the Scottish Parliament voted against (85 to 16) Margo MacDonald's End of Life Assistance Bill.