Central London Humanists

Should Electoral Reform Be a Humanist Campaign?

Join us for a lively, informal evening of conversation as we explore one of the most debated questions in British politics:
Is it time to change how we vote? And should humanists take a stand?

Across the political spectrum, there are growing calls for electoral reform—from Proportional Representation to Single Transferable Vote, and beyond. Supporters argue these systems offer a fairer, more representative democracy. Critics warn of complexity, instability, or even voter disengagement. But what do humanist values have to say?

We'll be asking:

What do you want from a democratic voting system?

Which systems offer the fairest outcomes?

Aren’t there more pressing issues to worry about right now?

Expect an engaging group discussion—not a lecture. We’ll provide a short introduction to the topic, including an overview of the current “First Past the Post” system and alternatives like:

Proportional Representation (PR)
Single Transferable Vote (STV)
Additional Member System (AMS)
Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)

Together we’ll explore:

The relevance to humanist values like fairness, participation, and rational policy-making

The benefits and risks of reform

What a better democracy might look like

🎟️ Free to attend. Donations welcome.
👥 Newcomers and non-members very welcome!
💬 Come along, bring your thoughts—and your questions.

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Join us for open discussion on all these points. We will begin with a short presentation of the concepts and then open the floor to participants to have their say.

To allow for more free discussions, this type of event is never recorded
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Date: Thursday 10th July 2025
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm
Venue: Zoom (Link provided upon RSVP)
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References and Suggested Reading

History of electoral reform in the UK:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_reform#United_Kingdom

First Past the Post:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-past-the-post_voting

Proportional Representation (PR):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportional_representation

Single Transferable Vote (STV):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_transferable_vote

Additional Member System (AMS):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Additional-member_system

Mixed Member Proportional (MMP):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed-member_proportional_representation

Common Criticisms of PR and Responses to Them by Fair Vote:
https://fairvote.org/archives/common-criticisms-of-pr-and-responses-to-them/

The Electoral Reform Society:
https://electoral-reform.org.uk/

Make Votes Matter:
https://makevotesmatter.org.uk/

## Angel to Farringdon – Absolutely Fabulous

All are welcome on this walk which is presented by Central London Humanists. Humanists believe we have just one life to be lived rationally and well, with compassion for others.
The walk is approximately 3.75 Km / 2.3 miles long and will take + / - 2 hours.
A green that’s not green; a Grand Avenue that’s not grand; a skier but not on snow; an open-air chess club; a museum in a gate. Just some of the highlights on this walk plus we finish at a pub where a King pawned his gold watch.

Date: Saturday 12th of July 2025

Time: 2 pm with a prompt departure at 2.15 pm.

Place: Angel Underground Station

Finishes: About 4.30 pm at The Castle, 34-35 Cowcross St, Farringdon EC1M 6DB

Maximum: 40 people

Cost £3

Meet outside Angel Underground station which is on the Bank branch of the Northern line. Turn right as you exit the station and you’ll find an open area where we will meet. Please use what3words app or what3words.com using ///level.minds.trying to find the exact location.

There are toilets at Angel Central Mall in Liverpool Road which is the road almost opposite the tube station. The walk is a little longer than usual but you can omit the last part and go the pub or Farringdon Station directly.

We end for optional refreshments at The Castle, 34-35 Cowcross St, Farringdon EC1M 6DB close to Farringdon underground station.

Walk is led by Robert – 07981963681

He can be contacted for further information but please note he won’t be able to respond to messages or calls after the walk has started.

The formal bit:
Maximum group size is 40 people. If you have signed up but find you can't attend, please change your RSVP on Meetup (it’s very easy to do) as soon as possible so others can join.

You are responsible for your own actions and safety; there is no liability on the walk leader or CLH for anything that may happen on the walk. You must be able to walk at 2.5 mph and able to walk for 2.5 miles. It is participants responsibility to keep up with the walk leader. To safely cross roads, where appropriate, pedestrian controlled lights will be used and obeyed unless it is obvious that the whole group can cross safely. When stopped at a point of interest please be mindful of not blocking pavements so that members of the public can pass by safely.

Don’t forget this is the UK and it may rain at any time! Walk will go ahead whatever the weather unless dangerous conditions so please bring clothing for all seasons.

Ubuntu: I am because we are. 🌍✨

CLH & Association of Black Humanists presents: Understanding Ubuntu Traditions with Professor James Ogude

We’re proud to present this special joint online event hosted by Central London Humanists and the Association of Black Humanists, launching our new Global Origins of Humanism series. In this series, we explore philosophical traditions from around the world that have influenced contemporary humanist thinking.

July's book: Bodies Under Siege: How the Far–Right Attack on Reproductive Rights Went Global by Sian Norris

Think today's anti-abortion ideas are rooted in religious prohibitions or arguments about where life begins? Wrong: today's anti-abortion movements is largely financed and planned by far-right extremists. Many of them are avowedly fascist and white supremacist, afraid of a "great replacement" of the world's white population by other races, who are working hard to reshape governments and policies across Europe, North America and around the world. Much of this far-right organizing and funding network, however, has been overlooked by today's feminist and left movements.

As investigative journalist Sian Norris uncovers here, it is through attacking abortion rights that fascist ideas from the dark web, incel chat boards, and fringe organizations comes to enter mainstream debate -- and to then shape governmental policy across Europe, from authoritarian regimes like Hungary's to liberal democracies like Britain. As Norris goes undercover at anti-abortion activist meetings, and pieces together the money trail linking American think tanks to far-right fascist groups, she maps out the pipeline by which fascism has become respectable across the Global North by taking away women's reproductive rights and autonomy.

The meeting starts at 7:15. At 7:30 pm we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so.

We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group.

While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions.

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