In 1880 a newly elected MP walked into the House of Commons and refused to swear an oath to God. Parliament refused to let him take his seat. He was re-elected four times. The standoff lasted six years. Charles Bradlaugh's fight ended with the Oaths Act of 1888, a turning point in the recognition of non-religious conscience in British public life. This episode traces that struggle from Bradlaugh's Northampton victory to the 2024 General Election, the most secular Westminster has ever returned, and asks how much religious privilege still shapes power in Britain today.Guests:Professor David Nash, historian of secularism and freethought and co-author of The Humanist Movement in Modern Britain: A History of Ethicists, Rationalists and Humanists (Bloomsbury, 2023). jesus.ox.ac.ukLizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group. lizzicollinge.comFor all references to people, places, and events in this episode and the full series, visit heritage.humanists.uk/podcastJoin Humanists UK: humanists.uk/joinDiscover more Humanist Heritage: heritage.humanists.ukSend us your questions or feedback: [email protected] Histories is produced by Humanise Live a production agency creating values-led podcast content. Start podcasting today at humanise.liveMusic: Small Things by Simon FolwarPodcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.