An outspoken Brighton priest says none of the main political parties are offering anything for Christians to vote for.
Father Ray Blake, of the Catholic St Mary Magdelen Church in Upper North Street, says he used to vote Labour, as most priests in the Catholic church did.
But now, he says their policies are “contrary . . . not only to Catholic teaching but to the very spirit of the Christian faith” – and the Conservatives, Greens and Liberal Democrats are little better.
His problems with Labour include being in favour of abortion and sexual equalities but against the church, particularly with regard to adoption agencies and faith schools. He says they’re “goodish” on overseas aid, but start wars.
The Conservatives seem little different to Labour, and are “not nice” to the poor. The Lib Dems are anti-Lifers and secularists, and the Greens have few policies other than saving the planet, and “regard mankind as a virus that is attacking it”.
He also says Labour’s Brighton Pavilion candidate Nancy Platts “can’t be bothered” to visit Brighton Voices in Exile, his project for asylum seekers, and that her Green rival Caroline Lucas “apparently did not want to meet” a homeless disabled woman and her carer, at the invitation of one of his parishioners, Laurence.
He warns: “It is very tempting in Brighton for political candidates to pander to the more vociferous elements of the hedonistic “Gay Lobby” and ignore the “Faith” communities and their concerns, if that happens in the next election that would be more than foolish. Those who can get themselves out to Church on a Sunday can normally get themselves along to vote.
According to a tweet from Cllr. Jason Kitcat, Fr. Ray has got the wrong end og the stick and Caroline Lucas has met with the two homeless people as requested by Laurence.
I myself find Fr. Ray’s and Laurence’s views towards LGBT people to be completely out of touch with the the views of many Brighton and Hove residents. They also oppose a woman’s right to choosen as well as contraception.
We should take action on homelessness, which is a very pressing concern in Brighton, but candidates should not have to feel pressured in having an audience with bigots.
Fr. Ray and Laurence should both be ashamed of themselves.
Shame reducing inequality, ensuring a living wage, protecting vital care and health services from cuts, creating a nicer fairer environment aren’t things for “christians to vote for” Caritas anyone?
It can only be a good thing. We don’t want candidates who follow Bronze age teachings.
Brighton is known as ‘The UK’s most Godless City’. This can only be a good thing.
Policies should be dictated by rational thought, not religious dogma.
I wish I lived in Brighton, I would be a new member of Father Ray Blake’s congregation.
I will support him in prayer, which is clearly needed here.
Father Ray Blake says that Christians have nothing to vote for. Does he mean that the parties aren’t advertising bigotry, unfairness and inequality as manifesto promises?
I admit I don’t live in Brighton but now I know it is the most godless place in Britain makes me want to come and live there.