Tory Christians emphasise social concern theme

-04/10/06

As energetic leader David Cam


Tory Christians emphasise social concern theme

-04/10/06

As energetic leader David Cameron seeks to ëout-newí New Labour by ditching the ìhang íem and flog íemî image of Conservative Party conferences for a sharing-caring image, Tory Christians have been getting in on the act ñ promoting green causes, talking about the legacy of abolitionist William Wilberforce, and emphasising social conscience.

One of the themes of the Conservative gathering in Bournemouth has been ësocial responsibilityí, a term which is ubiquitous in the Church of England and other denominations, where it has encompassed everything from neighbourhood initiatives to radical questioning of social policy.

However, judging from voxpop interviews with Tory delegates, the idea has had a mixed-reaction among the Conservative faithful, some of whom have been pushing instead for tax cuts rather than social spending, and get-tough crime policies rather than restorative approaches.

The days when the Church of England could be regarded as ëthe Tory Party at prayerí have seemed a distant past ñ at least from the Conservative end of the contract. But some say they could be returning.

However, several conference participants interviewed by Channel 4 TV were unsure what ësocial responsibilityí meant, and ventured the view that it might be about getting individuals to take responsibility for their own lives ñ and for the environment, which has been one of Mr Cameronís constant themes, backed up by the Partyís new fuzzy blue-and-green tree logo.

The gentler image has not been going down that well in the tea rooms of Bournemouth, observers note. But the Conservatives have always believed in winning as much as anything else, say cynics, and they are prepared to swallow David Cameronís audacious switch away from right-wing policies, because they believe that he has a good chance of getting the Tories back into Number Ten Downing Street.

Among the fringe meeting speakers at the 2006 conference has been former leader Iain Duncan-Smith, whose social justice initiative is a key one for the Conservative policy review. He also spoke at a Christian Socialist Movement meeting at the recent Labour Party conference in Manchester ñ seeking to defend Tory involvement in issues which have previously seemed alien to them.

But Mr Duncan Smith was given a hard time by friend and tormentor Bob Holman, a radical Christian community activist from Scotland who gave up a senior academic post to work alongside poor and marginalised people. He said that the state, not just voluntary action, had to be a protagonist in the social justice agenda ñ something which goes against instinctive Tory free market ideology.

Also speaking on Christianity and politics was ex-Home Secretary and ex-Tory leader Michael Howardís son, Nick, who was recently turned down for the Anglican ministry because he was ìunwilling to listen to othersí viewsî, according to press reports.

Another fringe meeting interlocutor was the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, who has made increasingly strident calls for the restoration of ëChristian Britainí ñ a message which is likely to go down better among many Bournemouth devotees than Mr Cameronís ìwet greeneryî, as one attendee described it to Ekklesia.

Those outside the Conservative Party are still waiting to see whether and how the Tory social concern agenda will be translated into policy action. Delegates have already rebuffed a green tax motion supported by high-profile ex-Thatcher minister, and active Christian, John Selwyn Gummer.

In his major speech this afternoon, Mr Cameron will say that whereas Tony Blair summed up his priorities in three words (ìeducation, education, educationî), he [the Tory leader] can do it in three initials ñ N.H.S.

The Conservatives have been traditionally vulnerable to accusations that they wish to dismantle social medicine, but Mr Cameron has trumpeted the impact of the National Health Service on his family. However, he looks set to continue New Labourís love affair with the market reforms which many doctors, nurses and patients say are making things worse rather than better.

[Also on Ekklesia: Bishop opens up a debate with ‘Christian society’ claims; David Cameron follows Jesus in bid for MySpace generation 01/10/06; Tory leadership candidate attacks Christian agency on trade; Tory leader accused of snubbing Scottish Catholic Cardinal; Cameron and Blair offered ‘Punch and Judy’ workshop; BBC’s Tory leader TV trail thwarted by Jesus; Tory leader follows church on hoodie love and faith-based welfare; BNP exploit racist fears and ‘Christian country’ claims; Church campaigners say government can be bolder on child poverty]


Tory Christians emphasise social concern theme

-04/10/06

As energetic leader David Cameron seeks to ëout-newí New Labour by ditching the ìhang íem and flog íemî image of Conservative Party conferences for a sharing-caring image, Tory Christians have been getting in on the act ñ promoting green causes, talking about the legacy of abolitionist William Wilberforce, and emphasising social conscience.

One of the themes of the Conservative gathering in Bournemouth has been ësocial responsibilityí, a term which is ubiquitous in the Church of England and other denominations, where it has encompassed everything from neighbourhood initiatives to radical questioning of social policy.

However, judging from voxpop interviews with Tory delegates, the idea has had a mixed-reaction among the Conservative faithful, some of whom have been pushing instead for tax cuts rather than social spending, and get-tough crime policies rather than restorative approaches.

The days when the Church of England could be regarded as ëthe Tory Party at prayerí have seemed a distant past ñ at least from the Conservative end of the contract. But some say they could be returning.

However, several conference participants interviewed by Channel 4 TV were unsure what ësocial responsibilityí meant, and ventured the view that it might be about getting individuals to take responsibility for their own lives ñ and for the environment, which has been one of Mr Cameronís constant themes, backed up by the Partyís new fuzzy blue-and-green tree logo.

The gentler image has not been going down that well in the tea rooms of Bournemouth, observers note. But the Conservatives have always believed in winning as much as anything else, say cynics, and they are prepared to swallow David Cameronís audacious switch away from right-wing policies, because they believe that he has a good chance of getting the Tories back into Number Ten Downing Street.

Among the fringe meeting speakers at the 2006 conference has been former leader Iain Duncan-Smith, whose social justice initiative is a key one for the Conservative policy review. He also spoke at a Christian Socialist Movement meeting at the recent Labour Party conference in Manchester ñ seeking to defend Tory involvement in issues which have previously seemed alien to them.

But Mr Duncan Smith was given a hard time by friend and tormentor Bob Holman, a radical Christian community activist from Scotland who gave up a senior academic post to work alongside poor and marginalised people. He said that the state, not just voluntary action, had to be a protagonist in the social justice agenda ñ something which goes against instinctive Tory free market ideology.

Also speaking on Christianity and politics was ex-Home Secretary and ex-Tory leader Michael Howardís son, Nick, who was recently turned down for the Anglican ministry because he was ìunwilling to listen to othersí viewsî, according to press reports.

Another fringe meeting interlocutor was the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, who has made increasingly strident calls for the restoration of ëChristian Britainí ñ a message which is likely to go down better among many Bournemouth devotees than Mr Cameronís ìwet greeneryî, as one attendee described it to Ekklesia.

Those outside the Conservative Party are still waiting to see whether and how the Tory social concern agenda will be translated into policy action. Delegates have already rebuffed a green tax motion supported by high-profile ex-Thatcher minister, and active Christian, John Selwyn Gummer.

In his major speech this afternoon, Mr Cameron will say that whereas Tony Blair summed up his priorities in three words (ìeducation, education, educationî), he [the Tory leader] can do it in three initials ñ N.H.S.

The Conservatives have been traditionally vulnerable to accusations that they wish to dismantle social medicine, but Mr Cameron has trumpeted the impact of the National Health Service on his family. However, he looks set to continue New Labourís love affair with the market reforms which many doctors, nurses and patients say are making things worse rather than better.

[Also on Ekklesia: Bishop opens up a debate with ‘Christian society’ claims; David Cameron follows Jesus in bid for MySpace generation 01/10/06; Tory leadership candidate attacks Christian agency on trade; Tory leader accused of snubbing Scottish Catholic Cardinal; Cameron and Blair offered ‘Punch and Judy’ workshop; BBC’s Tory leader TV trail thwarted by Jesus; Tory leader follows church on hoodie love and faith-based welfare; BNP exploit racist fears and ‘Christian country’ claims; Church campaigners say government can be bolder on child poverty]