18 November 2009
Churches encourage politicians to prioritise the common good
On the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament, three
British Churches are reminding politicians that they still have a
duty to work for the benefit of all people.
With a general election looming, political parties are already
focusing on their campaigns. But the Baptist Union of Great
Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have
expressed concern that many of the proposals they welcome in the
Queen's Speech may not become law because time is running
short.
Speaking on behalf of the Churches, David Bradwell, Public Issues
Policy Adviser, said: "Now more than ever we need politicians to
work for the common good, and not let party politics and the
imminent election distract them from the important work that is
before them. I hope they have the courage to do what is right, even
if it is not universally popular."
The Churches highlighted key issues in the Queen's Speech such as
the Bribery Bill, which will criminalise the bribery of foreign
officials in order to get business, and the Cluster Munitions Bill,
which the churches are urging the Government to make further
progress on. They consider the Constitutional Renewal Bill as an
important step towards greater accountability in politics. The
three Churches have also urged policy makers to focus their concern
on those who made little out of the good economic years so that the
public services they rely on are not cut in the bad years.
"As the General Election approaches, it is a good time for churches
to think about how they can engage with politics and build
relationships with politicians," added David. "Many churches hold
hustings meetings during election campaigns, but the election
should be seen as the start of a relationship with an MP, and not
the end of it. We have a duty to hold politicians accountable for
their policies and promises."
Local churches may also be interested to follow the Flood and Water
Management Bill, which might be amended to allow community
organisations a discount on water rate tariffs.