Thanks to all the @libdems.org.uk MPs who came by our stand to show support for the legal recognition of humanist weddings in England and Wales!

One of the most important things to do in the face of Christian nationalism (as with any ethnic nationalism) is to name it. Then civil society and politicians start to have the tools to understand it and take it on. Bravo to @pollytoynbee.bsky.social 👏 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Speaking here (as last year's @Humanists_UK Darwin Medalist) on humanity and evolution, and weaving my own secularist great-great grandfather's story into the lecture, is one of the things I'm most proud of 💕

Humans coming together to do good things.

Home of humanism, #ConwayHall, opened its doors on this day, 1929. One of two surviving buildings in the UK built for the non-religious to gather and find community. 🧵https://heritage.humanists.uk/conway-hall/

Join our Chief Executive @andrewcopson.bsky.social for this #HumanistsUKInConversation event with Lizzi Collinge MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group. Join us online to learn more about humanism in politics. Book now. humanists.uk/events/in-co...

On the need to unite around shared values of freedom, justice, and human rights when contesting the political beliefs of Christian nationalists – regardless of our religious or no-religious beliefs. My letter in the @theguardian.com. bit.ly/46yXet1

One of the most important things to do in the face of Christian nationalism (as with any ethnic nationalism) is to name it. Then civil society and politicians start to have the tools to understand it and take it on. Bravo to @pollytoynbee.bsky.social 👏 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Why humanism remains essential in an age of extremism and 20 years of human rights campaigning: a great chat with host of the @humanismnowpod.bsky.social, James Hodgson. Available on all your usual platforms! 🎧 humanismnow.buzzsprout.com

On the need to unite around shared values of freedom, justice, and human rights when contesting the political beliefs of Christian nationalists – regardless of our religious or no-religious beliefs. My letter in the @theguardian.com. bit.ly/46yXet1

So far going in and out of Liberal Democrat conference have been told by different youngish people seemingly just walking by (or in one case cycling slowly) in the street: ‘You know you are infiltrated by Jews’, ‘You are letting paedophiles in’, and ‘Trans is child abuse’. This is weird and unusual!

Thanks to Lid Dem humanists for hosting a great panel on the many threats to liberalism and humanism in the world today from authoritarianism to misinformation. I feel refortified by everyone’s commitment and optimism to fight back with human rights, democratic values, and a sense of rational hope.

😱 😱 To Bournemouth from Midlands so alas it’s a CrossCountry service. As usual, half the length it’s meant to be, standing room only, and the frustration of passengers equalled only by that of the luckless (and lovely) staff who have to deal with it. Please someone sort this terrible operator! 😱😱

Crucial step forward for the #AssistedDyingBill. A powerful debate highlighting the need for compassion, dignity, & individual choice. Thank you to all those who spoke in support! humanists.uk/2025/09/19/a...

Join me, @andrewcopson.bsky.social, @noahlugeons.bsky.social and @sianushka.bsky.social at QED 2025 this October as we discuss exactly this topic. You can get streaming tickets to see this panel, plus so much more at our website qedcon.org.

'This Bill legislates for people with a terminal illness and diagnoses, with six months left to live. Thankfully, there aren't many of us that face those circumstances.' Baroness Smith shares the words of Claire O'Shea, who died this year of terminal cancer. She was first misdiagnosed with IBS.

'He loved life... but he was dying... And when life became truly unbearable, he longed for death. Because of the law, I could not help him end his torture.' Baroness Blackstone, on the harrowing death of her husband #AssistedDyingBill

'I reject the assumption that the sanctity of life requires terminally ill people to undergo a distressing and painful death against their will.' Baroness Thornton reads out the plea of Pamela Fisher, a CofE lay preacher who has terminal cancer. Very moving. #AssistedDyingBill

The #AssistedDyingBill is back in the Lords today. Nearly 95 peers spoke last week. With around 190 expected to take part in total, this will be the longest debate – with the most speakers – ever held on a Private Members’ Bill in history. We'll be posting highlight clips in 🧵

Another critical moment in affirming the right of every child to a safe and enriching education, free from harm and exploitation. Thank you to the peers who spoke in support of meaningful action. humanists.uk/2025/09/11/l...

Reminder of why our work for inclusive education that prepares young people to think freely and understand others is so important. RE should be broad & balanced, introducing pupils to a wide range of religions & non-religious worldviews, including humanism. humanists.uk/2025/09/17/r...

If we support free speech then we should support it for everyone, up to the limits of the rights and freedoms of others. When the loudest proponents of free speech do the opposite, it's pretty obvious that the principle of free speech was never really their cause to begin with.

Dose of good sense from the great Kurt Vonnegut. His enduring advice on living well, often rooted in his humanist perspective, is as relevant today as ever. #LittleBookofHumanism @profaliceroberts.bsky.social

Reminder of why our work for inclusive education that prepares young people to think freely and understand others is so important. RE should be broad & balanced, introducing pupils to a wide range of religions & non-religious worldviews, including humanism. humanists.uk/2025/09/17/r...

Dose of good sense from the great Kurt Vonnegut. His enduring advice on living well, often rooted in his humanist perspective, is as relevant today as ever. #LittleBookofHumanism @profaliceroberts.bsky.social

If we support free speech then we should support it for everyone, up to the limits of the rights and freedoms of others. When the loudest proponents of free speech do the opposite, it's pretty obvious that the principle of free speech was never really their cause to begin with.

The BBC's attempts at clickbait are all so misdirected and so at odds with their duty to inform the public. How is Winfield House "America's unofficial party house"? It is literally their *official* party house.

No one should have to make a journey like this alone. Let's hope the House of Lords continues along the historic path towards giving terminally ill people the choice, dignity, and compassion they deserve at the end of their lives. It's time to end to this cruelty. news.stv.tv/world/dame-e...

Great news for the Netherlands!

This weekend's rally in London served as a stark reminder of what we, as humanists, must always stand against and, more importantly, what we must always stand for. 🧵 humanists.uk/2025/09/15/h...

Or you could spend that 6 hours living your life...

Cllr Fitzgerald’s comments are a reminder of why our work is so essential. Attempts to narrow children’s horizons must be resisted. Education should never be a tool of indoctrination – it must be about preparing young people to think freely and understand others. humanists.uk/2025/09/17/r...

I'll be discussing the pressing case for the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK at the Dying to Live, Living to Die online conf on 1 Nov. If you're interested in listening to that or exploring how our mortality shapes our lives more generally, do check it out! onlinevents.co.uk/event/dying-...

This weekend's rally in London served as a stark reminder of what we, as humanists, must always stand against and, more importantly, what we must always stand for. 🧵 humanists.uk/2025/09/15/h...

Great news for the Netherlands!

Lasting a marathon seven hours without pause, nearly 95 members of the House of Lords spoke during the first day of debate. With 190 peers expected to speak in total over the two days, this will be the longest debate with the most speakers of any Private Members' Bill in history. #AssistedDyingBill

Very worrying for all supporters of a tolerant society to see the London rally this weekend. Besides the the many violent incidents recorded, there were so many blatantly racist signs and Christian nationalist slogans in the crowds. 🧵

Another critical moment in affirming the right of every child to a safe and enriching education, free from harm and exploitation. Thank you to the peers who spoke in support of meaningful action. humanists.uk/2025/09/11/l...

No one should have to make a journey like this alone. Let's hope the House of Lords continues along the historic path towards giving terminally ill people the choice, dignity, and compassion they deserve at the end of their lives. It's time to end to this cruelty. news.stv.tv/world/dame-e...

In Northern Ireland, where humanist marriages are legally recognised (& only since 2018), they've become the 3rd most popular type of marriage. Mind boggling that the UK Government is yet to follow suit for England and Wales! www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...

Relevant piece given the news >> 'Fighting the Enlightenment?': What Do Danny Kruger's New Conservatives Really Want? – Byline Times bylinetimes.com/2024/02/22/f... @adambarnett.bsky.social

It's official: 15% of all marriages in Northern Ireland last year were humanist marriages. Northern Ireland has become a trailblazer for humanist marriages. These numbers should inspire change at last in England & Wales, where legal recognition is still lacking!

It was exactly ten years ago this week that I went to Belfast to talk to Northern Irish humanists about how we could organise better there and get legal marriage. Almost can’t believe how successful this has been! www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...

On #InternationalDayofDemocracy we can all commit ourselves again to human rights and the rule of law - the essential foundations of any democracy worth having. Things are dark in many places, but hope can re-fortify us!

Down in London today for a big meet-up of chief executives of equality and human rights NGOs. In light of the enormous rally here on Saturday, it's a fortifying reminder for me that there are determined supporters of the free and open society organising against the darkening times. Love to all!

'The majority of this country value tolerance... we need to remember that' @andrewcopson.bsky.social

Down in London today for a big meet-up of chief executives of equality and human rights NGOs. In light of the enormous rally here on Saturday, it's a fortifying reminder for me that there are determined supporters of the free and open society organising against the darkening times. Love to all!

On #InternationalDayofDemocracy we can all commit ourselves again to human rights and the rule of law - the essential foundations of any democracy worth having. Things are dark in many places, but hope can re-fortify us!

Concerning to see Christian nationalism becoming normalised. From Danny Kruger's speech saying the UK Govt should impose Christianity, to attacks on Pride flags, councillors now demand an end to pluralistic RE in favour of religious indoctrination.

He is one of the few genuine US-style Christian Nationalists in Parliament. Does it say something about the future policy direction of Reform UK?