Oh Lord! Kent County Council

[Imdunfer]

Kent County Council under Reform are putting a vote to full council to start council meetings with the Lords Prayer.

I get the anti Muslim bit, but don't they realise how many of us are atheists?

They also want to sing the National Anthem. I can sort of see their point with that one, but it's not going to get the bins collected, is it?

I'm glad to see they've got their priorities right. Big, impactful issues of concern to their constituents first

Sadly there is case law on this

The more news items about the shitstorns created for each local council either controlled by Reform or NOC with Reform as a major player, the better. It will be like a vaccine - we will hopefully thereby avoid any significant power in Westminster going to these clowns.

They can't be stopped, but that doesn't mean that they have to do it.

I object strongly. I'm an atheist, I don't want my council (which isn't Kent) bringing religion into Council business.

Give them enough rope and they will hang themselves? They certainly dashed out to B&Q quickly on this one.

It's all part of the Christian nationalist agenda. Nothing to do with actual religion, just posturing.

Agreed.

@Imdunfer it happens in councils all over the country. Not suprising that Reform are hanging their hat on something that they consider conveys their unique sense of Britishness. I suspect they will make a big deal of this all over the country.

Staggering really that public funds were spent taking embodying this in legislation, maybe not staggering when you think about the representation in the House of Lords.

When you read Pickles' words with where the UK has moved to in 2026 they are a chilling:

Communities and Local Government Secretary and Minister for Faith Eric Pickles said:
The right to worship is a fundamental and hard-fought British liberty, and the fight for religious freedom in British history is deeply entwined with the political freedoms we take for granted.
Building on what we have already delivered through the Localism Act, this further Act strikes a further victory for localism, for freedom to worship over intolerant and aggressive secularism, for long-standing British liberties over modern-day political correctness, and for parliamentary sovereignty over judicial activism.

It's just to do with tradition and cohesion isn't it?

Don't many schools start the day with the Lord's Prayer?

I made a thread about this yesterday... in case you want to join there. Horrendous.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5527989-reform-kcc-the-lords-prayer

I think it is divisive rather than cohesive. 48% of Kent residents are Christian according to the last census which puts them into an overall minority.

🙄 Because we can see from America, Israel, and most Muslim countries just how well religion entwined with politics works.

Anyway, if you find yourself with a Reform led Council, put them to work!

Time to email your Councillor about that pothole / lack of bin collections / litter on the streets / poor quality street lighting / long delay to care package starting / long delay to OT assessment.

See how long they last when they realise the job isn't all about racist rhetoric and prayer meetings.

And even less will be practicing. My Aunt describes herself as "Christian". The only time she has set foot in a church is for someone's wedding.

I hope not

Completely agree @CoffeeAndACroissant .

It's very important that people highlight Reform's obstruction in councils with NOC. They'll cause carnage, but won't take any responsibility and blame the other parties at the next elections. When things fall apart, if Reform have been obstructive it needs to be well documented. What a pity we've lost do many local papers to hold their feet to the fire. It'll be a challenge to do so, but they can't get away with it.

It's very divisive, and you know it!

Its to do falsely using religion for political posturing. If I were a Christian i would be deeply worried that my religion was being used for political purpose.

No! I’ve worked in schools for over 25 years and not one starts the day with the Lord’s Prayer! 😀

I am also an atheist and would be refusing to join in.

If my councillor wants to pray 5 times a day or start off the meeting with a prayer, I really dont care. Im an atheist and it takes a few minutes.

Gross! Sorry it just makes me shudder. Religion being used to anger and divide people. Again 😭

They are simply weaponising religion, they certainly demonstrate christian forgiveness when dealing with their members embroiled in scandal.

Very handmaid's taily.

I would vote for any party that would introduce secularism. Religion should be no where near the State, education etc.

Sorry I didn't see it. I think my title is a bit more catchy than yours 😆

Have you got a link to your threads about how angry you are that councils in places like Birmingham and London broadcast the Adhan (the Muslim call to prayer) - and not just to council staff but publicly via loudspeakers?