Parliament without Christian prayers ‘would be worse off ’

PARLIAMENT would lose something if it did not open each day with Christian prayers, the chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons has said.

The Venerable Tricia Hillas starts daily Commons sessions with a set of Christian prayers.

The Church of England clergywoman and Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle kneel together as she leads MPs in three prayers, including a prayer for Parliament that asks for political leaders to “never lead the nation wrongly through love of power, desire to please, or unworthy ideals”.

The public and journalists are not permitted into the chamber while the prayers are in progress.

Opponents have argued against the tradition, which is thought to have roots stretching back almost 500 years, with the likes of the National Secular Society and Humanists UK calling for it to be ditched or replaced with a “time for reflection”. But Mrs Hillas said MPs have told her how much they appreciate the day starting with a prayerful moment.

Asked if she thought Parliament would lose anything if the traditional start was abolished, she said: “I think we would, and people tell me that we would.

“When there is so much demand on people and so little time for pause, that in itself, no matter what faith someone is, having that moment is significant, before the hustle and bustle.

“As I come out (of the chamber), often people will say ‘Thank you for that’ or ‘Thank you for that piece of scripture’.”

MPs have been known to attend prayers as it allows them to reserve a seat on the green benches by laying a prayer card down.

Mrs Hillas insisted it was not the only reason they attend, adding: “It is a good way to not only hope you might get a ticket for the pearly gates, but you might get in for Prime Minister’s Questions.”