Most evangelical Christians are prepared to vote in the upcoming general election, a survey from the Evangelical Alliance UK (EAUK) suggests – though one in four were as yet undecided as to how they may vote.
EAUK has published a report, ‘Thinking Faithfully About Politics: a snapshot of how evangelicals think and act as they engage in politics’, following a survey that was carried out in the last two months of 2023. It found that evangelicals care about politics – and that there is ‘great diversity’ in how they engage with politics.
Those surveyed were asked how they plan to vote in the general election and what influences their voting. The majority (93%) of 1,380 evangelical Christians responding to the survey said they would be either ‘likely’ or ‘certain’ to vote – a significant proportion given that turnout of the population in the last two general elections was 65% and 69%.
Two key factors for respondents were: the party who would best help those in need (58%); and the party most closely aligned with Biblical values (54%).
Just under half (48%) were influenced by the party they thought would best manage the economy; and 41% by the ‘least bad option’ among those standing in their constituency.
While just 10% of respondents were members of a political party and/or campaigning for one, 38% were ‘engaged’ in politics beyond local elections.
Unsurprisingly, levels of trust in politicians is low (just 12%), yet 76% believe Jesus would befriend politicians of all political parties.
Respondents were also asked what their local church is saying about politics and whether Christianity has a role to play in politics today. Seventy per cent said the church should not be confined to preaching and teaching the gospel – political issues should not be left solely to politicians.
Free speech is important to evangelicals: almost nine in ten indicated they were more likely to vote for a party committed to protecting free speech in the workplace
The top issues facing the UK, in the view of the evangelicals surveyed, were (in order): the economy; poverty; equality and justice; integrity/trust; Christian values; cost of living/inflation; climate; health/well-being; immigration; and division/unity.
