The Employment Tribunal has found that the Claimant’s political belief in democratic socialism qualified as a philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010. Whilst his mere support in the Labour Party was not enough, his political belief in democratic socialism as enshrined by the Labour Party’s core values was qualified. This was because he had a strong connection with the history of the party.

Applying the EAT’s guidance in Grainger plc v Nicholson, the Employment Tribunal found that the civil servant with strong ties to the Labour Party could bring a religion or belief discrimination claim against the Department of Work and Pensions.