Anthony Grayling, President Elect of the British Humanist Association, has announced he is to step down from the position. I think Grayling, who has previously expressed support for the CEMB (
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/jun/19/thecourageoftheirconvictions), would have made an excellent president but, in light of the current climate surrounding his academic ventures, this seems to be the right decision to make. The BHA have many critically important messages to convey to the public and the distractions that Grayling's presidency would have brought would have been most unhelpful. He has clearly recognised that and so I applaud him for acting in the best interests of the secularist and humanist movements. I do hope that at some point in the not too distant future he can take up his elected position.
Below is an email just received from Andrew Copson. The "other areas of my public life" to which Grayling refers relate to his much reported New College of the Humanities.
"Dear Member,
Anthony Grayling, the President-elect of the BHA, has decided to step down from that position and not to take office as President on 1 July.
In doing so Professor Grayling said, 'It was an honour to be named President of the British Humanist Association and I very much looked forward to working alongside the staff and trustees over the next two years to promote Humanism - a vitally important task in today's world. Unfortunately, I believe that controversy generated by activities in another area of my public life will make it difficult in the next two years for me to be the sort of President that I would like to be for the BHA and all its members and supporters. In deciding to stand down and let the Trustees of the BHA appoint an alternative President, I wish them all the best in their important task.'
Robert Ashby, Chair of the Trustees of the BHA, has responded, 'We thank Anthony Grayling for the concern he has shown for the BHA and its work and regret the circumstances that have led him to step down as our President-elect. His decades of work in the causes that humanists espouse – secularism in our public life, freedom and human rights at home and globally, science and reason in our struggle to know the universe and humanity in our treatment of ourselves and other people - remain of great value.'
Polly Toynbee, currently President of the BHA, will continue as President until a new President is appointed by the Trustees later this year.
Many thanks to all of you for your ongoing support of the work of the BHA.
Best wishes,
Andrew Copson
Chief Executive"
Topic: British Humanist Association Presidency: AC Grayling has Stepped Down