Resolution passed at CLP GC meeting on 25th April
West Ham Labour Party welcomes the introduction of statutory Relationships Education and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), which all primary and secondary schools in England respectively will be required to teach from September 2020.
Recently we have seen a small but growing minority of vocal individuals who have begun lobbying primary schools, spreading misinformation and in some cases leading protests outside schools, trying to stop LGBT+ inclusive RSE.
People of all faiths and none are LGBT and it is vital that all children receive comprehensive and inclusive relationships and sex education, regardless of their parents’ beliefs.
The last guidance on relationships and sex education was written over 20 years ago, and we need to ensure that we bring this guidance up to date and that all children are receiving the education they need to understand their identity and to form healthy and respectful relationships.
The 2017 Labour Manifesto confirmed the party’s commitment to “age-appropriate inclusive RSE”. The term age appropriate should be taken to mean the age at which children and young people are introduced to different aspects of relationships, including sex, and should not indicate that same sex relationships should be taught at a different age to heterosexual relationships.
West Ham Labour Party notes that ridding this country of the scourge of Section 28 is one of our proudest achievements as a party, and we must play no part in rowing back the tides of progress that have been made since then. We know that we cannot trust the Tories to protect our rights.
West Ham Labour Party also believes that parents’ rights and religious freedoms should be respected but balanced against children’s independent, legally protected rights and the need to eliminate discrimination.
We believe schools should be supported to proactively communicate with parents and carers about the nature and importance of RSE and the detrimental effects that withdrawal might have on their children.
West Ham Labour Party rejects the attempt by Islamophobic and far right people to promote hate and seek division between communities.
West Ham Labour Party resolves to:
• Confirm its support for LGBT Labours and their call for compulsory relationship education for primary schools which is LGBT+ inclusive and promotes respect, acceptance and diversity.
• Write to our MP asking them to lobby for the necessary training, resources, guidance and support for schools and teachers in introducing and maintaining inclusive RSE.
• Write to Labour councillors in our Constituency asking them to propose a motion at an upcoming council meeting in support of inclusive, age appropriate statutory RSE for all children in the constituency.
• Share this motion with all members and encourage those who are parents or school governors to write to their schools in support of the introduction of inclusive, age appropriate statutory RSE.
• Condemn unequivocally the actions outside schools as unacceptable and likely to harm young people.
• Write to the Leader and General Secretary of the Labour Party, the Shadow Education Secretary and the Chair of Labour’s NEC to ask that the party works through Parliament to ensure that the new, LGBT+ inclusive RSE curriculum is in place by September 2020.