No such thing as 'the Christian vote'

Recently, the Church Times newspaper in England reported that its study had found that, among the two largest parties currently, 38 per cent of Christians would likely vote Conservative, and 33 per

Recently, the Church Times newspaper in England reported that its study had found that, among the two largest parties currently, 38 per cent of Christians would likely vote Conservative, and 33 per cent Labour. When the results were divided denominationally, strong preferences were found. 48 per cent of Anglicans would vote Conservative (and 16 per cent for UKIP), while Catholics favoured Labour to Conservative, by 42 per cent to 31 per cent.

Limited though these findings are (one of the key features of this election is the growth of political pluralism), the results can suggest many things: for example, that Christians disagree in both inter- and intra-denominational terms about how Christian values are to be applied politically; that Christians indeed disagree even about what is ‘Christian’; that Christian voters do not consider especially their faith or identity when voting; or, more positively, that voting as a Christian is not and should not be an action of conforming to one prescribed vision, but rather a choice informed by an experience of realities, reflection and prayer.

This election season, Ekklesia has published a number of papers unpacking key political issues, has set out its own principles, and has urged Christians and others to ‘vote for what you believe in’. Voting can in a sense be an act of witness, a strong stand on issues of importance to the voter which is made on behalf of others, namely those most vulnerable in society. In this way a vote is both personal and concerned with the body of the ekklesia, the Greek word meaning a political assembly of citizens, which for the early Christians came to mean ‘church’, either referring to one church or the Church universal. Even in its concern for others, then, the decision to vote (or not) for a particular party is for a Christian a personal as well as a socially responsible one, and we should not be surprised to see a divergence in Christian voting intentions.

Thus, while it is no bad thing to read about politicians who are influenced in their work by their Christian faith (or by other ethical beliefs), attempts by parties to win ‘the Christian vote’ should in my view be doomed to irrelevance. There have been many such attempts. UKIP’s ‘Valuing our Christian heritage’, which has been termed a ‘Christian manifesto’, was released at the end of last week, with the party’s leader Nigel Farage claiming his is the only party ‘that still cherishes our Judaeo-Christian heritage’. Symon Hill was distinctly less than impressed: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21650

Meanwhile, David Cameron released an Easter message, usually the preserve of church leaders, using his Christian values to legitimate his stance. And the Christian People’s Alliance, which will be standing in 17 seats, marries a defence of conservative policies with its understanding of biblical principles – an understanding many other Christians would disagree with.

Attempts to cajole Christians, or other religious or non-religious groups, are misplaced. There is no one-size-fits-all Christian political prescription. Christian votes are not and should not be winnable en masse in this or any election. Christians who happen to be in political parties are better off applying their Christian principles to their party’s politics, as most of them no doubt seek to do.

* Follow ALL Ekklesia’s election comment, news and analysis here: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/generalelection2015

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No such thing as ‘the Christian vote’