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This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

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Closed End the use of Prayer Cards to reserve seats in the House of Commons.

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Prayer Cards are obtained by MPs at the Christian Prayers that begin each sitting in both houses of Parliament since the reign of Charles II in the 17th Century. In our diverse society with citizens of many faiths and none, this is undemocratic and outdated.

As there are only 427 seats for 650 MPs, and given the rules about where MPs have to be in order to be seen by the Speaker and allowed to contribute, this practice excludes non-Christians from the day's debates.

This is undemocratic and disrespectful of Members of Parliament with different religious and spiritual practices, as well as Humanists and Atheists. Nor does not it represent the rich diversity of the citizens of the UK: equality of representation is the basis of a good fair democracy.

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    This petition will stay open until 4 September 2022.