Tamworth Hustings - the manifestos

Below are links to the manifestos of the parties standing in Tamworth - so rather than wonder what the political parties stand for, why not click on a link and have a read?

THE MANIFESTOS

Conservative

Labour

Liberal Democrat

Green Party

UKIP

Being a Priest and the world of politics

Those of us who are privileged to be called into leadership in the Church have many roles and responsibilities. One of those which becomes more apparent and demanding from time to time is to encourage and inform those we serve with a view to getting them voting, and voting thoughtfully, whenever elections come around.

This is a task wherein many pitfalls and stumbling blocks are to be found and there is a danger that rather than lead those around us into a balanced, and hopefully Christian and Bible based, direction we merely peddle our own political views.

There are some of my colleagues who seem to think that the pulpit is a place for their own particular campaigns and prejudices to be aired and it does sometimes seem that we preach more about the world as we see (and want or don't want) it to be than we do about the Gospel of Jesus and the reconciliation of the human race to God through His (Jesus) atoning act on the cross.

And election time is no different - for it provides us with an opportunity to bring Micah's call to us of living as people of justice, mercy and humility to the fore and to remind us of the service and servanthood, the caring for the weak, the poor, the marginalised and the downtrodden that following Jesus, and being a tune disciple, demands; it brings a call to care for the native and the alien in our midst.

Over the next few days I will be trying to encourage and inform with regard to the parties with candidates in the area I live and minister in. I hope this will prove to be as useful for you as it will hopefully be for me.

Below are links to the manifestos of the parties standing in Tamworth - they are the same for every constituency so rather than wonder, why not click on a link and have a read- and when you have, talk to others and see the candidates questions - something essential because party politics aside, you are electing someone to speak for you, so find out whether they would before you vote. 

I have often found the best candidate doesn't always come from the party you might naturally support and so asking questions about issues that matter and hearing their response is an important part of the voting process. Perhaps you could organise a hustings event where you are (there's still time if you hurry)?

THE MANIFESTOS

Conservative

Labour

Liberal Democrat

Green Party

UKIP