Blond, Glasman and Nazir-Ali say Christian Political Voice Can Be Ignored No Longer

Issued by Christian Concern

Press Release

25 November 2011

For Immediate Release
 

Blond, Glasman and Nazir-Ali say Christian Political Voice Can Be Ignored No Longer

Delegates at a conference for European Christian Democrats, thinkers and activists, organised by Christian Concern, in London today (25 NOV) have heard prominent thinkers declare that the role of Christianity in Britain can no longer be ignored in political discourse.

Speaking at the event, Beyond Individualism, Phillip Blond, Director of ResPublica and the acknowledged driving force behind David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ said:
"After the economic crash and the social collapse of the riots now more than ever we need religious and moral voices re-admitted to public policy debate. The contemporary attack on Christianity as one of those voices is perhaps the most disturbing element of the new secular fundamentalism that seeks to police faith and drive belief from its central and proper role."

Lord Glasman, Ed Miliband’s guru and ‘Blue Labour’ thinker, added:
"We need more love in the system, greater solidarity and we have never been in greater need of the gifts that the Christian tradition brings."

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, the conference chairman, said:
“1945 was a critical juncture in European history, it was Christian faith which brought about the reconstruction of Europe. In 1989, similarly, Christianity played a key role in the dissolution of Communism and the liberation of Eastern Europe. Today, again, if the European malaise is to be addressed, there must be a Christian-led moral and spiritual renewal affecting our political, business and social life.”

In response, Francis Davis, who has advised government on matters relating to faith communities, said:
“Lord Glasman and Phillip Blond have reminded us of the ethical resources available in the Christian tradition but also the practical resources. Around the world, Christians have creatively addressed pressing social problems in fresh and innovative ways and today we’ve touched on the need to recover a language to have that contribution recognized and replicated."

Professor John Milbank, Professor of Religion, Politics and Ethics at the University of Nottingham, commented:
“We have face nothing less than the crisis of Europe and the West. This crisis has a double aspect. First, the threat of a totalitarian capitalism perhaps including individual rights but certainly not democracy. Secondly, the loss of respect for the person, for the rights of free association and a society infused with pastoral care. All these values derive from Christianity and it is only the Christian legacy that can now forge an alternative economy and society based upon trust and mutuality. If Europe does not base its political unity on its Christian cultural legacy, then it will die.”
 
Delegates also heard from Christian Democratic leaders from Europe. 

The conference continues tomorrow. 

ENDS

Photographs

High resolution photographs of speakers at the event are available on request.

For more information:

www.beyondindividualism.org.

Andrea Minichiello Williams       +44 (0) 7712 591 164
Andrew Marsh      +44 (0) 7919 354 456

Notes

Beyond Individualism - Why Civil Society Needs Christian Political Engagement

Friday 25th November; 09:30 – 18:00
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London

Saturday 26th November; 11:15 – 16:30
Quadrant House, 10 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AU

The event is being organised by the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM), Christian Concern and the Christian Peoples Alliance. UK-based organisations CARE, The Jubilee Centre, The Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics and THEOS are also partners in the event.

 
The European Christian Political Movement (ECPM) is a growing political association of Christian Democratic parties and organisations. Formed in 2002, the movement received official recognition from the European Parliament in 2010. www.ecpm.info

Christian Concern seeks to speak of Jesus Christ in public life, especially in the political, legal and media arenas. Its sister organisation, the Christian Legal Centre supports Christians who find themselves in difficulty in the workplace or in their public service as a result of their Christian faith. www.christianconcern.com
 
The Christian Peoples Alliance has been fighting elections in Britain for a decade, after emerging from David Alton’s ecumenical Movement for Christian Democracy. In 2009, the Christian ‘ticket’ won 250,000 votes across Britain for the European Parliament and was described by The Times as “among the key winners” of the smaller parties. www.cpaparty.org.uk