20 September 2010
Churches form coalition at party conferences
The Big Society, affordable housing and poverty will be on the
agenda when senior leaders and representatives of five Church
organisations meet with politicians and activists at the three main
party conferences this autumn.
A delegation from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist
Church, Quakers, The Salvation Army and United Reformed Church will
attend the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party
conferences in September and October to discuss their shared
concerns.
Members of the public are being encouraged to attend the free
conference fringe events organised by the Free Churches and
Christian groups within the political parties. These will include
breakfast meetings on particular themes involving political party
speakers and Churches.
Revd Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Conference,
said: "Some people believe that politicians don't "do God" and that
the Churches shouldn't get involved in political life. Our
delegation to the party conferences demonstrates that the Churches
value the vocation of those who work to improve our society through
political life. We won't always agree with their policies, but we
welcome the opportunity to engage with them over our shared
concerns for the world."
Michael Bartlet, Parliamentary Liaison Secretary for the Religious
Society of Friends (Quakers) said: "Our ecumenical presence at
party conferences affirms the value of political participation and
the continuing relevance of faith in public life."
Frank Kantor, Secretary for Church & Society for the United
Reformed Church, added: "The party conferences are taking place
amidst a backdrop of the most stringent cuts in a generation and
the church leaders are looking forward to engaging with MPs from
all three political parties, looking at how we can mitigate the
impact of these cuts on the poorest in our society."
The Revd Graham Sparkes, Head of Faith and Unity for the Baptist
Union of Great Britain, indicated that, 'at a time when the role of
faith in the public arena is high on the agenda, it is vital that
churches contribute to creating a society that is fair and just for
all.'
The Church organisations came together several years ago to
organise a delegation to the party conferences. The visits have now
become a regular date in the Church leaders' calendar.
As well as offering prayer support and a visible Christian witness
at the party conferences, the group aims to ensure that shared
Christian views are clearly heard by politicians of all
parties.
Lieut-Colonel Marion Drew, The Salvation Army's Secretary for
Communications, said: "By being at the party conferences the
Churches can develop and reinforce relationships, particularly with
Christian politicians and party members, discuss important issues
in an ecumenical forum and provide support and encouragement to
people living in the public eye. Christian friends in Liverpool,
Manchester and Birmingham are encouraged to attend and take part in
these meetings wherever possible."
Party Conference Details
At the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Liverpool, Andrew
Stunell MP of the Department of Communities and Local Government
and Michael Bartlet of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
will lead a time of discussion and reflection. This event will take
place at 8am Tuesday 21 September at the Quaker Meeting House, 22
School Lane, L1 3BT. For details visit www.ldcf.net Church
representatives will then meet with politicians including Steve
Webb MP, Minister of State for Pensions, and Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP,
Secretary of State for Climate Change.
Events in Manchester at the Labour Party Conference will include a
church Service at 10:30am Sunday 26 September organised by The
Christian Socialist Movement in Manchester Cathedral. A prayer
breakfast, at 8am Tuesday 28 September in conjunction with the
Christian Socialist Movement and Housing Justice, will discuss the
crisis in affordable housing with speakers including the Rt. Hon.
Alun Michael MP and Susan Elan Jones MP.
For details of other events during the Labour Party conference
visit www.thecsm.org.uk The delegation will then meet with a range
of politicians including David Lammy MP, Stephen Timms MP, and John
Denham MP.
At the Conservative Conference in Birmingham David Burrowes MP and
The Salvation Army's Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel
Marion Drew Will lead the breakfast on Tuesday 5 October. The
delegation will also attend the Conservative Christian Fellowship
Conference service on Monday 4 October, and will meet politicians
such as.Greg Clark MP, minister at the Department for Communities
and Local Government, and Andrew Selous MP.
For more information visit www.ccfwebsite.com