Bolton council has overwhelmingly rejected a bid by Reform UK to stop prayers being said immediately before full council meetings. The motion, proposed by Reform group leader Councillor Trevor Jones, was defeated by 44 votes to 10 at the meeting on Wednesday, June 24.
Reform UK's Proposal and Boycott
Reform UK, which holds 10 of the 60 seats on Bolton council, put forward the motion to review the practice of including prayers as part of formal proceedings. For many years, meetings have begun with a short prayer led by the mayor’s chaplain, during which councillors, officers and observers are invited to stand. At Wednesday’s meeting, the Reform group only entered the chamber after the prayers had concluded, in a symbolic boycott.
Councillor Jones argued: “This is a place of business not a place for praying. We fully respect people’s rights to their own religion and also the right to have no religion. Bolton is a mixed town with people from all different backgrounds. Our meetings should reflect that and make everyone included.” He proposed two alternatives: prayers could be held in another room before the meeting, or a one-minute silence could be observed. He added that if prayers continued, Reform UK would continue to enter the chamber after they finished.
Defence of Tradition
Conservative Councillor Toby Hewitt opposed the motion, saying: “I defend the custom and practice of Christian prayer at full council. The practice developed in Parliament from 1558 and dates back here to the 1330s, at the formation of the town. The motion before us does not defend the custom of Christian prayer but calls it into question by nature of review and perhaps by its exclusion.”
Horwich & Blackrod First Councillor Peter Wright noted that prayers were not listed on the public agenda and thus were not part of formal business, saying “the motion seeks to change a practice that does not exist.” Conservative member Andy Morgan added: “The motion overlooks the purpose of civic prayers and the role they have played in our council’s tradition for many years. The Reform party frequently speak of defending British heritage and tradition yet this motion seeks to move on longstanding civic customs in Bolton. This is not about imposing a particular viewpoint on anyone; it’s about continuity of history and the mutual respect that has helped bind this chamber together across generations.”
Support for the Motion
Reform’s Derek Wunderley backed the motion, telling opposing members they should “all be ashamed of yourselves.” He said: “This is not about being against religion. It’s about the setting we’re in. Council meetings are formal public meetings where we make decisions on behalf of everybody in Bolton. Not everybody shares the same beliefs or feels comfortable taking part. People should always be free to practice their faith but there is a clear difference between personal belief and what is included in official council business. In other public settings including schools and workplaces, prayers aren’t built into formal business.”
Council Leader's Criticism
Council leader Akhtar Zaman criticised the motion, saying: “What do we get from Reform? Banning prayers at the start of the council meeting. As their first action, Reform councillors elected just weeks ago have had a thinktank on what is the pressing issue for this borough. Maybe anything at all to do with the services of this council. No, Reform say their voters have told them loud and clear that they want an end to prayers before council. What a ridiculous opening shot. Really, this is your priority for the people of Bolton?”
Several speakers pointed out that some Reform-led authorities, including Kent, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, had actually stipulated the saying of prayers at council meetings since taking control. The motion received 10 votes in favour, all from the Reform UK group, with the other 44 members in attendance voting against.
