General Election

Join The Party with Christians in Politics

Christians should not only vote in the forthcoming General Election but seek to change the political system from the inside as party members, local councillors and MPs.The Christians in Politics 'Join The Party' initiative was launched with video clips from the Prime Minister and leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties.

Christians in Politics is the umbrella organisation made up of the Christian Socialist Movement, Conservative Christian Fellowship and the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum.'Join The Party' encourages Christians to move beyond shouting from the sidelines and become part of the political process.

The video can be used by churches holding hustings and provides an excellent introduction to the role Christians can play in politics. Right-click here to download the video.

Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, says 'I cannot think of a moment in our history when it was more important for Christians to be asking themselves - and more critically God - whether they are called to play a part in politics.'

In the video Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaks of the role the Christian faith has to play in politics, "Churches and the Christian charities have been Britain's conscience on causes from debt cancellation to child poverty, to good environmental stewardship of the earth", he goes on to say that "The lessons of the Gospels need not be kept separate from political life".

David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, also commends the role of Christians in society, saying: "Up and down the country Christians are working, quietly and faithfully, to help heal our broken society.We need to take that record and apply it in our Parliament."

The role of Christians in politics was emphasised by Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, who commented "The greatest danger is that people turn off politics altogether, don't vote, so please, get involved, you will benefit, we will benefit, the country and the world will benefit".

The initiative is supported by a wide range of church groups and Christian leaders. Speaking ahead of the launch the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu encouraged Christians 'to vote, to engage, to converse, to discuss' and says 'it matters a great deal if all of us who are able to exercise our democratic right are able to turn out.' He adds: 'Christians have a duty to God, a duty to their nation; a duty to their neighbour and voting is one of those duties.'

Back to Previous Page