Thank you for contacting me about freedom of religion or belief.
I am proud that the UK has a long and diverse history of freedom. This includes the Magna Carta in 1215, the 1689 Claim and Bill of Rights, and the Slave Trade Act of 1807, through to the 1918 Representation of the People Act.
As you know, the recent Queen’s Speech announced that the Government will bring forward a new Bill of Rights in this Parliament to replace the Human Rights Act. This follows a consultation on the subject which closed on 19 April. The Bill of Rights will strengthen our traditions of liberty and free speech, restore public confidence in the justice system and ensure Parliament has the last word on the law of the land.
Thank you for contacting me about freedom of religion or belief.
I am proud that the UK has a long and diverse history of freedom. This includes the Magna Carta in 1215, the 1689 Claim and Bill of Rights, and the Slave Trade Act of 1807, through to the 1918 Representation of the People Act.
As you know, the recent Queen’s Speech announced that the Government will bring forward a new Bill of Rights in this Parliament to replace the Human Rights Act. This follows a consultation on the subject which closed on 19 April. The Bill of Rights will strengthen our traditions of liberty and free speech, restore public confidence in the justice system and ensure Parliament has the last word on the law of the land. I hope that constituents with an interest in this were able to respond to the consultation before it closed. The Government is currently analysing the responses and I look forward to reading their response when it is published in due course.
I note that you are concerned about what the proposals mean for the UK’s policies on freedom of religion or belief. Let me reassure you, the reforms seek to curtail abuses of the system and restore public confidence.
It is my firm belief that people of every faith and none should be able to enjoy the same freedoms and equal treatment so that they can practice their religion and live by their principles. My ministerial colleagues and I are committed to ensuring that religious freedom is safe in modern Britain.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
I note that you are concerned about what the proposals mean for the UK’s policies on freedom of religion or belief. Let me reassure you, the reforms seek to curtail abuses of the system and restore public confidence.
It is my firm belief that people of every faith and none should be able to enjoy the same freedoms and equal treatment so that they can practice their religion and live by their principles. My ministerial colleagues and I are committed to ensuring that religious freedom is safe in modern Britain.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
