New generation of Labour MPs wants to outlaw private prayers

Since ancient times, the Commons day has begun with a few minutes of MPs' private prayer and reflection before heated political arguments.The current generation of Labour MPs, however, is already criticizing the daily Christian service, calling it "archaic" and outdated. Some of Keir Starmer's recently elected army of young legislators are reportedly advocating for the prayers to be discontinued as part of broader Commons modernization efforts, according to information obtained by The Mail on Sunday.A verbal sparring match between younger politicians and lawmakers with decades of experience has been sparked by the appeals. The "new kids in town" are criticized by veteran Conservative MP John Hayes for their "lack of respect" for Parliament's Christian traditions and their "arrogance."Sir John, first elected in 1997, said: ‘Whether you believe in the divine or not, it’s important to recognise our country is rooted in the Christian traditions. Prayers are a reminder of that.’

But last night, one Labour MP elected just six months ago hit back by reminding Sir John that the party’s general election landslide represented a generational shift in the make-up of the Commons and backed the right of new MPs to modernise the institution.He said: ‘I don’t think getting rid of daily prayers is top of people’s priorities, but new MPs come with new ideas. It’s a different demographic to the past.’In a practice dating back to 1558, MPs begin each day with private prayers which the public and the Press are not allowed to witness. The same happens in the Lords, but attendance for both MPs and peers is voluntary.Parliament’s website says the prayers ‘follow the Christian tradition’ and there is ‘no multi-faith element’. 

During the sessions, MPs and peers turn to the wall to pray – a tradition thought to derive from the difficulty they would have had in the past of kneeling while wearing a sword. 

It is now understood a Commons modernisation committee, set up after Labour’s win, has been asked by some of Sir Keir’s new MPs to scrap the daily worship.

A source said: ‘They want to scrap them. They find it archaic and definitely see it as old practice.’ However, it is thought unlikely that the committee, chaired by Commons Leader Lucy Powell, will take the idea on, Daily Dazzling Dawn understand.

Sir John, chairman of the Tories’ common sense group, last night rebuked novice MPs for ‘hostility’ to the ‘Christian traditions’.He said MPs praying together was ‘a time of quiet reflection’, adding: ‘There’s a certain sort of arrogance associated with people who arrive somewhere and want to change everything before they really understand it. 

'But there are also some people who – either because of ignorance or hostility – don’t understand the point about the need for a period of contemplative time or the Christian tradition on which our country’s system of ethics and laws are founded.’

Former Tory Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a Catholic, said the prayers are a ‘reminder of our history and status as a Christian nation’, adding: ‘This is not the time to abandon God, whose help is most particularly needed when we have such an awful government.’

In September, some Lib Dem MPs were accused of ‘fiddling with their phones’ during prayers. The party dismissed the claims, saying ‘the Lib Dems are home to many practising Christian MPs, not least our party leader [Ed Davey].’