ACCORD COALITION

Early day motion 530, tabled 21 January 2009 by Ashok Kumar (Labour). Signed by 45 members.

That this House supports Accord, the national coalition that unites religious and non-religious individuals and organisations campaigning for inclusive schools; believes that all state schools should be open to children and teachers of all backgrounds and beliefs; is concerned that current legislation permits schools with a religious character to discriminate against staff and students on the basis of their religion or belief and to teach a partial religious education curriculum; calls for religious education to be objective, balanced and fair; welcomes the positive approach taken by Accord and the breadth of its membership; and urges the Government to remove exemptions from equalities legislation for state-funded religious schools.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 14, Conservative 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.