The only Labour MP to vote against LGBTQ+ inclusive lessons says he made a mistake
John Spellar has been branded a dinosaur for his decision
By Steve Brown
The only Labour MP to vote against the introduction of LGBTQ+ inclusive lessons has said he made a mistake.
John Spellar – who represents the Warley constituent – was one of the 12 MPs who voted against teaching LGBTQ+ inclusive lessons in a recent vote – which was overwhelmingly backed by the rest of the House of Commons.
But now, Spellar has admitted he made a mistake voting against the new proposal submitted by education secretary Damien Hinds.
Speaking to the Express & Star, he said: “I think it was a mistake to vote against it.
“It was a mistake for which I apologise to the LGBTQ+ community. There were a lot of concerns from faith communities.
“The education minister Nick Gibb put out an explanatory letter which indicated the way they are looking at local circumstances and wanting to engage with parents and that covered it.
“We need to make sure faith communities are reassured. There was a lot of representation, it wasn’t people who were demonstrating, just constituents and parents who had concerns.
“There does need to be engagement. People need to be persuaded and we need to make sure we are living in a tolerant and inclusive society.”