Ann Widdecombe gets behind campaign to include RE in English Baccalaureate

Strictly Come Dancing star and politician Ann Widdecombe is the latest public figure to support a campaign urging Michael Gove to include religious education in the new English Baccalaureate.

The RE.ACT campaign, spearheaded by Premier Media Group, is appealing to the Education Secretary to reconsider his decision to omit GCSE RE from the list of key humanities subjects in the Baccalaureate.

The campaign is mobilising the Christian community to speak up in support of its key message - to put RE at the heart of humanities.

Christians are being asked to sign a petition and write personal letters to their local MPs urging them to support the Early Day Motion on RE and the English Baccalaureate.

The Early Day Motion, tabled by Stephen Lloyd, MP for Eastbourne, states that "the rise of religious extremism around the world and in the UK means that a good understanding of all religions is vital to a well-rounded education".

Ann Widdecombe said: "Children are being deprived not only of religious teaching but of the opportunity to understand their history and culture.

"Biblical illiteracy, for example, makes it difficult to appreciate fully a great deal of classical literature."

Other supporters of Premier's campaign include the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, and the head of the Evangelical Alliance, Steve Clifford.

Peter Kerridge, chief executive of Premier Christian Media Group said: “The campaign is gaining more supporters by the day. This is an issue that’s close to everyone’s heart, whether you’re a Christian, Muslim or Hindu, we need our kids to learn about their neighbours and squash this escalating cycle of religious illiteracy.”

The campaign also coincides with the Celebrate RE initiative taking place this month to highlight the importance of RE in schools.