A Councillor’s 16-year campaign to end prayers at meetings of the Isle of Wight Council has finally succeeded — after he became chair.
The issue was due to be a motion on the agenda of the first full council meeting last Wednesday, but with Councillor Geoff Brodie becoming chair it was at his discretion whether or not the practice would continue.
While prayers are said at other local authorities, it is at the discretion of the chair as to whether the practice takes place. Under the previous chair, former Councillor George Cameron, prayers were said by archdeacon, The Ven Peter Leonard.
Cllr Brodie has been fighting the ‘discriminatory’ prayers since he became an Isle of Wight councillor in 2005 and has previously left meetings after being criticised for not attending prayers by former council leader, Andy Sutton.
Before the meeting, Cllr Brodie said he just wanted it to stop.
After being voted in as chairman of the full council (in a 20 to 18 vote against Councillor Ray Redrup), Cllr Brodie withdrew his motion.
As an atheist, Cllr Brodie said he would not be appointing anybody to conduct any ‘faith business’ before the full council. He said:
“I am a non-believer, you will have to respect that. If people want to take prayers or have periods of contemplation before full council I am more than happy to see that but it will not be part of the formal part of this agenda.
Article continues below this advertisement “That is who I am and the majority of people accept that.”
During the first face-to-face meeting of the council since the COVID pandemic began, Councillor Claire Critchison was also appointed Vice-Chair and Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox voted in as leader, a new alliance group taking control of the Isle of Wight Council.
Well done,what they used to pray for anyhow + forgiveness for all mistakes. We need to move forward with progress.
what happened to democracy,? why wasnt there a vote on this, if you are a non beleiver fine, but not everyone is So you inflict your way on everyone,
He hasnt inflicted his way on anyone.
He has said clearly do what you like before meetings, but it will not be part of the formal agenda.
Well done Brodie give yourself a pat on the back.
Because there is nothing more important to sort out on this Island.
Like doing something drastic about these speedsters on the roads
I would have thought that the council needs all the help it can get! Maybe the old seafaring saying is wrong and you will find an atheist in a lifeboat…
A Labour cllr is voted in as chair and his first move is to make an arbitrary decision designed to antagonise the public. Seems to be following the pattern of the national Labour Party inasmuch as they too make decisions that alienate voters. No wonder the Party is dead in the water.
Last I read Mr Brodie was an independent.
Prayers and religion should not be forced on anyone anyway…. Pointless crap…
How many hours of discussion did we pay for that decision???? .
Come off it doesn’t the island have a few more problems worth the time more than a prayer…..
Let’s hope they get their act together soon and deal with the real issues we have not ridiculous items like this …..