News Brief

Evangelicals counter claims of Christian party -22/4/04

The Evangelical Alliance does not agree with claims by the Christian People's Alliance that a new report by church leaders can only be implemented if the capital's faith communities vote for their party, a source has told Ekklesia. The news follows the publication of "Faith, Work and City" a report giving an overview of the issues affecting London as seen by those who work in it. Upon its publication on Tuesday however the Christian People's Alliance (CPA) claimed that the report's recommendations would give them votes in the coming London election. A statement on both the CPA website and the website of their mayoral candidate Ram Gidoomal said that the report's recommendations "can only be implemented by the capital's faith communities voting for the Christian Peoples Alliance" and that "if Christians want what it says, they must vote for the CPA". The claims made by the Christian People's Alliance are reminiscent of the cause of a recent row in the South African elections. A dispute broke after the African Christian Democrat Party accused the Democratic Alliance of pushing policies that were "not in line with Christian principles". The Evangelical Alliance is not commenting on the statement by the Christian party, but one source made it clear to Ekklesia that the EA does not agree with the CPA's position. The Bishop of London who spoke at the new report's launch directly disassociated the project from specific backing from any particular politician or group and stressed its "civic voice". Bishop Richard said the report was seeking to "work to enlarge politicians room for manoeuvre". A Mayoral Candidate Hustings event has been organised by the Evangelical Alliance and others at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster on Sunday the 9th of May where people can see of all the mayoral candidates. More information on the events and report can be found at; www.votelondon.org.uk