United Grand Lodge
of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons
of England


 
Province of
South Wales
Eastern Division

News
Report

National Assembly for Wales: Bigotry reigns as Assembly caves in to the inevitable  At about twenty past four on the afternoon of Wednesday 20 April 2005, the National Assembly of Wales brought an end to its shameful discrimination against Freemasons.  The Standing Order that was abolished required Assembly Members who were Freemasons to register that fact or face sanctions under the Criminal Law! No other UK legislature or assembly had seen fit to take such powers for itself; and furthermore, no other organisation was proscribed in that way - not even the Ku Klux Klan ...... or Al Quaeda. The old requirement was something so eminently worthy of Nazi Germany - where Freemasons were also persecuted - that it was perhaps grimly ironic that that this iniquitous rule was overturned on Adolf Hitler's birthday! Freemasons will still be required to register (and we have never suggested that that they shouldn't) but so will members of a large range of other organisations. Our objection has been to being singled out for discrimination. The amendments mean that: All references to Freemasonry are to be removed from the Standing Orders. It would be replaced by a requirement for Assembly Members (AMs) to register membership of all organisations where a candidate for membership (who otherwise meets the entry requirements) can be vetoed by existing members or by a selection committee.  Where an AM fails to register the fact that s/he is a Freemason (or a member of one of the newly defined organisations), s/he would no longer be de-facto guilty of a criminal act. S/he would instead be subject to internal NAW sanction and resulting public opprobrium. Many of the contributions to the debate could be described as spiteful and grudging - even from some of those who subsequently voted in favour of the motion. It was clear that in many cases, support for the amendment was motivated only by the prospect of almost certain defeat at the European Court of Human Rights. Some members displayed what can only be described as breathtaking ignorance of, and antipathy towards, Freemasonry. Such ignorance really cannot be excused because for over four years we have repeatedly offered each AM the facility of having their questions answered - and/or to visit a Masonic premises. The antipathy could therefore be said to fuelled by willful ignorance.  Freemasonry does not involve itself in politics - except when Freemasony itself is the subject. It is to be hoped, therefore, that this is the last that the National Assembly for Wales will see of us. However, there was some suggestion during the debate that the new Standing Order might be applied selectively. We will be keeping a keen eye on its application; being particularly alert for disparity in any penalties imposed by the Standards Committee. David Melding AM, made a very appropriate contribution when he said that sanctions imposed by the Standards Committee should be determined by the motives or reasons for any breach. We would add that the nature of the organisation must have no bearing on the Committee's deliberations. The European Court of Human Rights awaits.

Who said what CLICK HERE for a full transcript of the debate How they Voted  FOR  Barrett, Lorraine Bates, Mick Black, Peter Burnham, Eleanor Butler, Rosemary Cuthbert, Jeff Davidson, Jane Davies, Glyn Davies, Janet Davies, Jocelyn Dunwoody-Kneafsey,                         Tamsin Elis-Thomas, Dafydd Essex, Sue German, Michael Gibbons, Brian Gregory, Janice Hart, Edwina Hutt, Jane Idris Jones, Denise Isherwood, Mark James, Irene Jones, Carwyn Jones, Laura Anne Lloyd, David Lloyd, Val Melding, David Mewies, Sandy Morgan, Rhodri Randerson, Jenny Ryder, Janet Sinclair, Karen Thomas, Catherine Thomas, Gwenda Thomas, Owen John Thomas, Rhodri Glyn Williams, Brynle Williams, Kirsty  ABSTAINED  Graham, William Jones, Helen Mary  AGAINST  Chapman, Christine Griffiths, John Gwyther, Christine Jones, Ann Lewis, Huw Neagle, Lynne Sargeant, Carl

The timeline of shame 29 Jan 2004  Standards of Conduct Committee to try again with similar proposals 20 Nov 2003 A sad story of bigotry, procrastination and self-interest 16 Oct 2003 Assembly Members to be consulted in an effort to restore sanity 7 Jul 2003 Committee warned of dire consequences of continuing discriminatory policy toward Masons 30 Jan 2003 National Assembly for Wales: Progress .... or filibustering? 13 Nov 2002 Welsh Assembly fails to bring an end to its 'illegal' discrimination 20 Mar 2002 Freemasons applaud first step by Welsh Assembly 18 Mar 2002 Freemasons still await an end to discrimination by Welsh Assembly 12 Dec 2001 'Day of destiny' draws nearer at the Assembly as European Court rules in favour of Freemasonry 4 Apr 2001 Welsh Assembly hears evidence from Freemasons September 2000 We make formal representations in light of the new Human Rights Act 1998 1998 Our then Provincial Grand Master, The Rt. Hon. The Lord Swansea, writes to NAAG objecting to proposed registration requirements