News Brief

Christian party says churches must back them to avoid compromise

-21/4/04

A Christian political party is claiming that the recommendations of a new report by church leaders will give them votes in the coming London election, and that Christians must back them if they want to avoid "compromise".

"Recommendations in the report published by the London Church Leaders and the Evangelical Alliance (EA) into the Greater London Authority elections on June 10th can only be implemented by the capital's faith communities voting for the Christian Peoples Alliance" says a statement by the party.

However the Christian People's Alliance will be running against another candidate for mayor, who is well known for his Christian faith.

Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat candidate and Member of Parliament, will be quizzed on Sunday by Christians at a special event organised by the Faithworks campaign, and the web site church.co.uk

The comments by the Christian party, may also spark disputes amongst Christians, similar to those seen in the recent elections in South Africa. A row broke after the African Christian Democrat Party accused the Democratic Alliance of pushing policies that were "not in line with Christian principles".

The churches report 'Faith, Work and city' was welcomed by the CPA Mayoral candidate, Ram Gidoomal. He is now promising to act to implement the report's priorities and objectives in full and says that if Christians want what it says, they must vote for the CPA.

Attending the London launch today of the report, Ram Gidoomal said; "This report highlights the great strength of London's 3800 churches and the 600,000 Christians who worship regularly, week after week, of all ages, races and cultures. It represents a distinctive challenge to all London Mayoral candidates.

"A lot is spoken by the secular parties of their respect for the huge difference Christians and other faiths make in their communities. As the report says, churches alone organise some 6,500 social action projects across London, with 9,000 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers. I now challenge the other candidates to match my pledge today to implement in full the recommendations of the churches. "

Ram Gidoomal concluded; "Christian voters must rise to the challenge asked of them by the report and vote for the priorities it expresses, such as commitments to bring inner city regeneration, respect for the unborn, support for marriage and families, the fight against substance abuse, backing for faith schools and a clear values-led education for all London's children."

Also attending the launch, Councillor Alan Craig, CPA London Assembly candidate and out-going Director of the Canning Town-based Mayflower Family Centre, said:

"Labour, Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Green party candidates are all deeply compromised by their parties increasingly anti-Christian policies. A vote by London Christians for the Christian Peoples Alliance will be a clear vote for conscience. It is also practical as just 5 per cent is needed for us to win a seat on the London Assembly and work to implement the priorities of the churches."

In 2000, the CPA won votes from nearly 100,000 people in the first electoral contest for the Christian Peoples Alliance party. The CPA is now campaigning to double this figure for the Assembly on June 10th.