All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group


are informal, cross-party, interest groups of the UK Parliament. APGs have at least 20 members who are all Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords. The All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group is a subject group of the APG whose purpose is to bring together non-religious humanist, atheist and agnostic MPs and peers to discuss matters of shared interest.

History

APPHG first began in the 1960s. In 1996 it had 47 members and now has over 100. Although the Group is not part of, nor affiliated to, Humanists UK, the organisation does provide the secretariat.

Topics discussed

The Group meets around 4 times a year to hear speakers and discuss relevant issues, as well as to share information and receive briefings on matters of interest. These matters are wide-ranging and include the promotion of a rational approach to bioethical, medical, and scientific issues, the defence of free speech, civil liberties and education.

Officers and members

Since September 2017, the officers of the APPHG have been Chair: Crispin Blunt MP; Co-Chair: Joan Bakewell; Vice Chairs: Clive Lewis MP, Tommy Sheppard MP, Jeff Smith MP, Lord Warner of Brockley, Lord Taverne of Pimlico, Lord Garel-Jones of Watford, Baroness Flather of Windsor and Maidenhead; Secretary: Baroness Massey of Darwen; and Treasurer: Lord Dubs of Battersea.
The total membership of the group exceeds 100. Former members have included Michael Connarty, Julian Huppert, Ian Swales, Colin Challen, Lynne Jones, Evan Harris, Paul Holmes and Sandra Gidley, William Goodhart, Joel Joffe, and Rhodri Morgan, later First Minister of Wales. Other members include Baroness Bakewell.

Notable debates

April 2007 - Religion: Non-believers

Thursday 19 April 2007 debate Religion: Non-Believer in House of Lords lasted two and a half hours. Lord Harrison called to attention the position in British society of those who profess no religion. Edited verbatim Hansard report. The debate was summarised by HASSNERS. The speakers were Lord Harrison, Baroness Carnegy of Lour, Lord Goodhart, The Archbishop of York, Lord Judd, Baroness Flather, The Lord Bishop of Worcester, Lord Macdonald of Tradeston, Baroness Byford, Baroness Greengross, Baroness Rendell of Babergh, Lord Carey of Clifton, Baroness Murphy, Baroness Massey of Darwen, Lord Wedderburn of Charlton, Baroness Whitaker, Lord Joffe, Lord Graham of Edmonton, Lord Roberts of Llandudno, Baroness Wilcox, and Baroness Andrews.

July 2013 - Contributions of atheists and humanists to society

A debate in the House of Lords on Thursday 25 July 2013 lasted two and a half hours and more than 20,000 words were spoken. The motion of the debate was "That this House takes note of the contribution of atheists and humanists to United Kingdom society." Watch the video and read the edited verbatim report of the debate. It was covered by media sources including the BBC, British Humanist Association, Labour Lords, Atheism UK, SkepticInk, HASSNERS. The speakers were Lord Harrison, Baroness Whitaker, Baroness Meacher, Lord Bishop of Birmingham, Lord Layard, Lord Harries of Pentregarth, Lord Maxton, Lord Morgan, Baroness Flather, Baroness Massey of Darwen, Baroness Warnock, Lord Soley, Viscount Craigavon, Baroness Turner of Camden, Lord Warner, Lord Taverne, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon.