The Green Party parliamentary candidate for St Albans has been suspended from his position as a parent governor of a Catholic school in light of the party’s position against faith schools, according to a report in the Herts Advertiser.
Loreto College decided to suspend Jack Easton because it believed that the Green Party policy of seeking to stop religious organisations from running state schools could be incompatible with his role at the school.
Mr Easton explained that while he is not religious, his wife is a Catholic and his children have been brought up as believers. Defending the policy on which he is running for parliament Mr Easton said:
“The Green Party’s underlying vision is that every child and young person should be entitled to attend their local community school and for their needs to be met on an inclusive basis.”
“The Greens believe that education should include a celebration and recognition of religious and cultural diversity and spirituality and Green Party policies include requiring schools to provide prayer space for those who wish to practice their religion.”
“Schools could choose to hold acts of worship but would be expected to provide alternative activity for pupils that do not wish to take part.”
The Accord Coalition also campaigns for major reform to laws governing school admissions, religious discrimination against teachers and the current requirement for a daily act of worship, although unlike the Greens the campaign does not take a position on the principle of faith schools. Polls suggest that the Green Party may win its first MP in the election next week.
