UCB Broadcast March 2006
Hello and welcome to the Parliamentary prayer update, my name is Gareth Wallace and I work in Westminster for the Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs Department.
Legislative and regularity reform bill
The Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill is a relatively obscure piece of legislation that until recently has received little publicity. Many of our members have expressed concern about this Bill as there appears to be a serious issue regarding the potential powers the Government could take for itself under the Bill, in particular, to amend any legislation without a full vote for MP’s.
Six Cambridge law professors even suggested that if enacted the Bill could permit the Government, for example, to 'create a new offence of incitement to religious hatred, (punishable with two years imprisonment.)
Of course the government are not suggesting using this legislation for this purpose, but the new powers the Bill would grant would allow such a scenario to happen.
The purpose of the Bill is to reduce red tape and bureaucracy however the Bill raises serious constitutional issues in its present from and its progress through Parliament will be monitored closely by the Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs department. The Alliance has raised its concerns with Opposition parties and it is to be expected that changes will be made. If not, we shall be seeking to significantly heighten the profile of the Bill in the public arena.
Please pray that the Government will not overreach its powers in this legislation.
Pray that the rights of democratic debate will be maintained and that the House of Commons and House of Lords will not lose any of their power to scrutinise Bills on the public’s behalf.
Discrimination Law Review
All the controversial aspects of the Equality Bill notably relating to religious and sexual orientation discrimination have been deferred to a major government consultation exercise called the Discrimination Law Review.
This will pave the way for legislation in the autumn that will define and consolidate the body of law relating to discrimination across the entire spectrum of human rights.
As such it will define the relationship between religion and state and religion and society for the foreseeable future, therefore every concerned Christian or religious group will need to ensure they study this consultation in detail and make a considered response.
The Government formally announced the consultation on Monday the 13th March They encouraged as many people as possible to respond by the closing date of June 5th.
The proposals are designed to introduce regulations in October that will seek to prevent discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in areas other than employment, in both public and private sectors.
The Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs department has welcomed the constructive spirit in which the Government has formulated its proposals. However, serious concerns remain and clarification is necessary on a number of points. We trust that the consultation exercise will result in the fair balancing of different rights in accordance with human rights law. We have commended the Government for acknowledging the position of religious and charitable organisations as well as individuals where their freedom to practise and advance their faith may be adversely impacted by these regulations. In a document that proposes exceptions to the legislation for several different groups, relevant exceptions for religious groups are entirely appropriate to enable them to continue to function in accordance with their faith.
Please pray for wisdom and energy for the wide range of Christian groups and churches who are already working to respond to the Government on this huge and complex issue.
Please pray that our efforts will successfully defend the rights of Christians to practice their faith and beliefs without fear of prosecution.
Please pray that no church community projects or Christian Charities will be adversely affected by the proposals.
Euthanasia debate
The Lawyers Christian fellowship hosted a major Euthanasia debate on Monday the 13th March in Middle Temple Hall in London.
The debate between the newly formed Care Not Killing Alliance and Dignity in Dying (formerly The Voluntary Euthanasia Society) was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr Justice Hedley. The panel consisted of top legal minds both for and against the Assisted Dying Bill.
BBC Panorama filmed the debate and to show footage of the event in a programme set to coincide with the Second Reading of the Bill on the 12th May 2006.
Interest has been sparked by the forthcoming Second Reading of the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill in the House of Lords. A spokesperson for the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship has said “if the Bill goes through it will be tantamount to a legalization of euthanasia”.
The debate seemed to be well informed with passionate cases being put by both sides, including contributions by several disabled people who are opposed to Euthanasia.
Please pray that the clips that Panorama chooses to use will be fair to both sides of the debate and that opponents of Euthanasia will get a fair hearing.
Please pray for the second reading, the first full debate in the House of Lords which is due to take place on the 12th May this year.
We will keep you fully informed of future developments on this vital issue.
Further Prayer and Action
For further insights on these and other issues The Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs department produces a monthly parliamentary magazine, PQ, and a monthly ‘Prayer and Campaigns’ action and prayer sheet. If you have any questions please e-mail the public affairs team at pub-aff@eauk.org
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