May 2000 - Evangelicals Now - Christian Newspaper

While recognising they do not speak for all Londoners, Christian leaders in the capital have produced a 24-page vision statement, entitled Shaping London's Future, detailing the kind of city they want London to be.

Speaking at the launch, the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres said: 'Every week the Christian churches bring together hundreds of thousands of Londoners. Shaping London's Future is a citizen's-eye view of the values that we hope will be influencing the Mayor and the Assembly as they begin their work.'

On March 17, the Bishop told over 300 of the capital's evangelical church ministers that a new approach was needed for London: 'So many of our deepest problems cannot be solved simply by sacking the management, changing the educational curriculum and bringing out new resources, because so many problems arise from the level of relating. People find it hard to relate to one another and above all they find it very hard to relate to the author of life - God himself.'

A significant group

Martyn Eden, Public Affairs Director of EA, wrote Shaping London's Future in consultation with a wide group of church leaders. He said: 'Although we have much for which to thank God in London, there is also plenty about which, I suggest, we are ashamed.

'The bad news includes poverty and unemployment, racial injustice, rough sleepers on the streets, and loneliness. Many churches have a good track record for the difference they make in caring for people in their neighbourhood. which addresses some of the most pressing problems for Londoners. Our credibility comes from this kind of work, and makes us a relevant voice when talking about tackling the causes and not just the symptoms of people's problems. We represent something like 10% of the population of London - a very significant group, if we work together to achieve change.'

Hustings at St. Paul's

On Sunday April 2, many Christians attended the mayoral hustings event at St. Paul's Cathedral. Gordon Reid, for EN, reported: 'It was billed as the biggest meeting of the campaign where the principal candidates would be present together, and questioned by members of the public. Following a short reflection, the Bishop of London welcomed candidates and the public to the meeting, which was chaired by Nick Clarke, well known as a presenter of Radio 4's World at One programme.

'The six candidates - Frank Dobson (Labour), Ram Gidoomal (Christian People's Alliance), Darren Johnson (Green), Susan Kramer (LibDem), Ken Livingstone (Independent), and Steven Norris (Conservative), were given two minutes each to present their own policies and give reasons why people should vote for them. This was a worthy attempt to give London's churchgoers a chance to see and hear the main candidates. But it was lacking in punch when it came to teasing out key issues and the true agendas of the candidates.'

Who to vote for?

Christians are faced with a difficult choice. Much of the publicity surrounding the election has centred on the personalities, and processes by which they became official candidates. Certainly 'Red Ken' has many supporters among traditional Labour voters, but his announcement that he will crack down on firms and institutions that are 'homophobic' may ring warning bells for many believers.

Christian candidate Ram Gidoomal certainly seems to have excellent qualifications for the job - in his business experience, and his multi-ethnic contacts. It is extremely unlikely that he will win, but he stands a fair chance of becoming a member of the London Assembly. Many Christians remain critical of the idea of a 'Christian' party. Others will, no doubt, vote along the lines of their political preferences.

Wake up to New politics?

In a message to supporters marking the first anniversary in March of the foundation of the Christian Peoples Alliance, its leader, David Campanale, said it was time for Christians to wake up to the new politics of Blair's Britain.

With a warning that Labour's programme of constitutional reform may herald advances towards a secular state, David Campanale said Christians should engage in more open dialogue with the unchurched public. 'Tony Blair's programme of modernisation is long overdue. But by unravelling our complex and ancient constitution, the place of Christianity could be put under threat by secularists in the government. The reason given by the Home Secretary for not supporting the institution of marriage is that Britain is now a 'secular society'. In a democratic age, the answer lies in the ballot box. Our new party will allow voters to make the choice of whether to maintain a distinctive, Christian basis for society.'

The CPA is making a start with running a candidate for London Mayor, Ram Gidoomal CBE, and candidates for the new London Assembly. 'Proportional representation will mean that over the next 20 years, Christian Democracy will become a permanent feature on the British political landscape, as in Northern Europe. Christians must start to make the case for the values of the gospel to the unchurched public.' In a call to Christians to participate directly in the political process, Mr. Campanale said that the lobbying carried out by some evangelical groups fails to rise to the challenge posed by New Labour. 'In the old politics, Christians either did not get involved in the political process or they lobbied MPs from a distance. In the new politics of the 21st century, Christians must make their case from within the political mainstream.'

Further information from CPA, PO Box 932, Sutton, Surrey SM1 1HQ (020 8401 2514).

Shaping London's future

London's churches are making the most of the Mayoral election to try to recover influence and argue for a fairer and friendlier London

A significant group

Hustings at St. Paul's

Who to vote for?

Wake up to New politics?

Main Articles

Other articles