The new Prime Minister is called to stand up for justice, family and freedom of conscience during his premiership.
26 June 2007
The Evangelical Alliance is calling on the new Prime Minister to stand up for justice, family and freedom of conscience during his premiership.
The Alliance would like to congratulate Gordon Brown on his new office, and to welcome his openness about his Presbyterian background and how his church minister father’s “moral compass” has affected his outlook on life.
Dr R David Muir, the Evangelical Alliance’s Public Policy Director, said: “Gordon Brown has said the values he grew up with will guide him in his leadership – including honesty, family and respect for others.
“I hope these values will be evident through the policies he adopts.
“I also hope that his leadership and advocacy of a ‘new politics’ of openness and inclusion will encourage greater participation in civil society and remove some of the cynicism about politics in our country.”
The Alliance – a member of anti-poverty coalition Micah Challenge – has praised Mr Brown on his commitment to overseas development and poverty reduction in Africa, but is calling on him to use his influence to goad other world leaders to deliver the Millennium Development Goals, which are far from being met.
Dr Muir welcomed the Government’s commitment to prioritising human rights, and Mr Brown’s promise that his party will govern “for all the people of our country.”
But he appealed to Mr Brown that in keeping this promise, he makes sure freedom of conscience is not treated as a lesser right than others, or that religious belief is not forced to become privatised.
He added that he believes moral issues such as abortion and human-animal hybrid technology will continue to present a challenge during Mr Brown’s premiership, and asked the new leader not to marginalise the important ethical implications of expected new developments in these areas.
“We also encourage him to steer clear of knee-jerk social and criminal policies, but to champion respect, tolerance, marriage and family,” he said.
“He needs to deal with the causes of crime rather than the symptoms, identifying practical and effective early intervention strategies.
“I commend Mr Brown’s commitment to family as foundational to a cohesive society, and challenge him to effectively support the family, providing better incentives for married couples and families and a better level of education to improving the life choices and chances of all young people.”
The Evangelical Alliance is urging member churches to continue to pray for Mr Brown and his Government, as they make vital and difficult decisions for the future of the country.
Notes to editors:
The Evangelical Alliance UK, formed in 1846, is an umbrella group representing over one million evangelical Christians in the UK and is made up of member churches, organisations and individuals. As part of a movement ‘uniting to change society’, the Alliance promotes unity and truth, acts as an evangelical voice to the state, society and the wider Church, and provides resources to help members and other evangelicals live out their faith in their communities.
