On or about the 20th Oct I sent a request to my MP with reference to the information below:
We are asking the DCMS to change its policy, which fails to represent the 26,000 serving members of the armed forces who describe themselves as having ‘no religion’. The previous annual requests for a change from UKAFHA and the BHA have twice been rejected.
‘For All Who Serve’ is the new campaign launched by the United Kingdom Armed Forces Humanist Association (UKAFHA) and supported by the British Humanist Association (BHA), calling for the recognition in the national service of remembrance of non-religious members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
We need you to be a part of this campaign.
We need to
contact MPs right away to encourage them to support this campaign, and raise the issue with the responsible minister – the Rt Hon Hugh Robertson MP, Secretary for Tourism and Sport (with responsibility for Ceremonies).
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I got a reply from my MP : I had not heard of this idea and will have to think it over.
Thank you for writing.
Best wishes,
Oliver Heald QC MP
Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire.
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As I had not heard anything further I wrote: Your reply of "I had not heard of this idea and will have to think it over" is somewhat offensive and reads "I can't be bothered".
Surely the rational way to consider this issue is to pose the question- "What possible rationale can there be for excluding a large group of people who have served their country, from a commemoration of those who did not survive?".
Put that way it seems at the very least churlish, and perhaps downright insulting, not to allow them to feel part of the events and be inclusive; if they are good enough to fight they must be good enough to commemorate.
Again I look forward to hearing your views on the matter and hope you add your voice to this important cause.
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On the 30th October I got this reply:
I like to research ideas and think about them - not a bad quality. Quite the opposite of "I can't be bothered".
Best wishes,
Oliver Heald QC MP
Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire
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Well he has had quite some time to get his grey cells working but not a word. What are your views on this subject?