I write to you in regard to the recent statements by Dame Louise Casey. She made these statements as part of her oral evidence on “The Casey Review: a review into opportunity and integration.”

I find her recommendation regarding an oath of British values to be deeply concerning and this concern has only been heightened after hearing her speak on the matter. Her proposals would amount to a form of state enforced doctrine, the violation of which would result in exclusion from public office and education.

In response to a question about schools she said,

“that it is not okay for Catholic schools to be homophobic and anti-gay marriage. That is not okay either—it is not how we bring children up in this country. It is often veiled as religious conservatism, and I have a problem with the expression "religious conservatism", because often it can be anti-equalities. We have got to be careful that people can choose, obviously, to live the lives that they want to live, but that they cannot condemn others for living differently.”

Dame Casey uses Catholic schools as an example, but there are many other religious groups to whom the same sentiment would presumably apply.

What she says is concerning on multiple levels including, but not limited to, her understanding of what constitutes “homophobia”; her view that it is “not okay” to teach children that marriage exists between one man and one woman for life; and her implicit understanding of “equality” which she opposes to religious conservativism.

In light of her statements and her proposals for a British Values oath:

1. Anyone who holds traditional views on marriage would be unable to take the equalities oath and would therefore be ruled out of serving in public office or teaching in school
2. Catholic schools and many other religious schools, would have to stop teaching certain tenets of their faith or cease being faith schools altogether. She is effectively determining, for adherents of religions to which she presumably does not belong, what aspects of their faith they can teach to their own children. This would be a serious and unjustified state imposition on the freedom of religion and family life.
3. The introduction of such an oath would result in a silencing of anyone who disagrees with state orthodoxy on marriage.

While she is keen that people “cannot condemn others for living differently”, she is apparently very happy to condemn others for thinking differently.

In short, her proposal for a "British values" oath and her subsequent clarificatory comments, show a deep intolerance and represent a grave threat to freedom for anyone who disagrees with state doctrine regarding marriage and the family.

I understand that societal cohesion and unity are important to the proper functioning of a nation, but Dame Casey’s suggestions serve only to further divide, not only the different peoples within our nation, but also our nation from its own past.

Therefore, I ask for your urgent attention on this matter. You must do all within your power to stop this "British values" oath being implemented and continue to uphold the freedom of religion and the freedom of conscience in Britain. Families and religions should be free to disagree with the state in their beliefs regarding marriage and family without the threat of state reprisal.