As a General Election approaches, a new initiative has been launched that will equip local churches to increase democratic participation through registering people to vote, providing information about the need to have appropriate photo ID, and encouraging people to vote on polling day. As Voter …
Politics and Elections
The Government’s re-writing of history
The sedate environment of the House of Lords descended into farce yesterday when Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, responded to questions on the Economic Activities of Public Bodies Bill (Anti-Boycott Bill). An extraordinary exchange demonstrated only too clearly why …
The View from a Cupboard in Parliament
![A portion of a wooden door. A sepia portrait photo of a woman is screwed to the door in a brass-coloured circular frame. A ribbon featuring the Suffrage colours (pink, white, green) is diagonally across the lower part of the photo. Below the photo is a brass plaque with an inscription: In loving memory of Emily Wilding Davison. In this broom cupboard Emily Wilding Davison hid herself, illegally, during the night of the 1911 census. She was a brave suffragette campaigning for votes for women at a time when Parliament denied them that right. In this way, she was able to record her address on the night of that [the rest of the plaque is not visible but the text continues:] census as being the House of Commons: thus making her claim to the same political rights as men. Emily Wilding Davison died in June 1913 from injuries sustained when she threw herself under the King's horse at the Derby to draw public attention to the injustice suffered by women. By such means was democracy won for the people of Britain. Notice place here by Tony Benn MP. “I must tell you, Mr Speaker that I am going to put a plaque in the House, I shall have it made myself and screwed on the door of the broom cupboard in the Crypt.](https://jpit.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/35906576123_dbc00b3025.jpg)
The Vote and The Future This year, alongside working for JPIT I get to work for an MP, and spend half of my week in the Houses of Parliament. As I walk around Parliament to meetings, committee hearings or debates, I am frequently struck by how the history of our democracy is reflected in …
There’s an election coming…
A UK General Election needs to take place some time before 28 January 2025, with many people predicting either a May or October 2024 poll. As this election year approaches, here are six ways that churches and church leaders can prepare for this significant event in the life of our …
Voter ID: the Consequences
At the local elections in May, voters were required to present photo ID for the first time in England. The changes to the law were introduced by the Conservative Government in the Elections Act 2022. The change was criticised by opposition parties, charities and journalists who said the …
Statement on the conclusion of the COP27 Climate Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
Monday 21 NovemberThe Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. While we are extremely conscious of the cost-of-living crisis and the economic bearing it is having here in the UK, we cannot ignore the tremendous impact of climate change in other parts of …
“He has filled the hungry with good things” – What we need from the Autumn Budget
Last week, the Trussell Trust revealed that their 1,300 foodbanks across the UK gave out 1.3 million emergency food parcels between 1 April and 30 September 2022. This marks a rise of over 50% from pre-pandemic levels, more than ever seen before. Wave after wave of crisis has driven 320,000 people …
What are the stories we should tell about the humanitarian crisis at Manston Airport Asylum centre?
The Prison Officers Association described Manston Airport processing centre as “A humanitarian crisis on British soil”. The Government has admitted that its treatment of asylum seekers at Manston was not “legally compliant”. The pictures and stories we are seeing are appalling and angering in …
Churches respond to risk to benefit levels
The Methodist Church in Britain, the United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union of Great Britain respond to the proposal to limit the uprating of benefits, risking a real terms cut to benefit levels: The social security system should prevent families from being pushed into hardship, yet …
Tax and the cost of living
The Conservative Party is choosing a new leader, who will become the UK’s next Prime Minister. One of the key issues throughout the campaign has been tax cuts. All the candidates – including Sunak and Truss who remain in the contest – wish to cut taxes. The only differences between candidate have …