calimac

Oh yes, if I'd been thinking in British terms I should certainly have brought up Bradlaugh. I've always been amazed by the fact that, as Gladstone strongly supported Bradlaugh's right to affirm, this brought Tory accusations that Gladstone was anti-religious. In fact Gladstone was surely the most dedicated lay churchman ever to walk the halls of Parliament, and it was his deep respect for his own religion that gave him the confidence and understanding to accept that others did not share his beliefs.