Archbishop of York urges Britain to vote

John Sentamu, Archbishop of York

I had the pleasure of hearing John Sentamu speaking in Belfast on the eve of the recent Kingdom Come conference. One thing I vividly remember him saying was that while the “talking heads” would have us believe that Britain has become a secular state, as he travels around the country, he sees something different.

Especially living in N. Ireland, I am too often disenchanted with the choice of politicians that I have to vote for in Westminster elections. It is all too easy to feel that my vote will make no difference, but today John Sentamu guested on Ruth Gledhill’s Times Online blog Articles of Faith under the title Faith in Politics: Why Vote – and he’s making me think about it. He starts…

The role of church and religious leaders is one of warning their congregations not to sleep-walk down the street of despair, but to wake up and take responsibility to choose their political leaders. It is up to people to make up their own minds.

in between he writes…

It is right that Christians should engage with politics. It is right that they have a say in who represents them in Parliament and creates the laws that govern us. It is easy for people to switch off and say things like ‘they are all the same’ or pick issues such as MPs’ expenses as an excuse not to vote but, really, what does that achieve?

Giving into cynicism gets us nowhere.

We need to believe in hope and positive engagement. Civic responsibility, and service to the people through elected office, are massive responsibilities which no-one should take lightly.

and he concludes…

I do not accept that Britain is ‘broken’, everywhere I look around I see incredible people doing amazing things. I see ordinary people who care about their communities and their country and want to do something about it. I see people who want change and renewal. I see people who want to make a difference. I see people who want to have their say. I say to these people: ‘Engage. Speak. Listen. Vote.’

It’s an interesting piece from a very up front Christian leader in today’s church!

Go here to read the whole blog.