With a General Election on the horizon for 2024, how can we equip ourselves to participate.
On this page we shall highlight a number of resources and ideas to help you and your church.
Churches General Election Website
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have launched Churches Election containing a rich array of resources.
Be informed.
Do you know who your MP is, their voting record or written submissions? They Work For You profiles this information. When you meet, write or arrange hustings you are more informed as to who your MPS is.
Make the most of what is out there.
Tearfund, Christian Aid, CAFOD, JPIT regularly produce materials or launch appeals that you can use to determine priorities. You don’t need to do all the research yourself; it has been done for you.
The Joint Public Issues Team host Politics in the Pulpit; a lectionary based resource.
“Each week, we welcome a different guest, discussing the political dimensions present in the Bible readings explored by many churches the following Sunday, and reflecting on how they connect with the week’s current news and our calling to be justice seekers.”
Church Leaders.
Church Leaders issue joint statements. Most recently a joint call for action on poverty and on the Rwanda Bill. You can use these to arrange an event around or to write to your MP asking them to forward to the relevant Minister.
Church leaders issue joint call for action on poverty in 2024 (jpit.uk)
Hustings
Once an election has been called you may want to call a hustings, bringing those standing for parliament together to answer questions from the community. There are a number of ‘how to guides’
How to Host Hustings from Joint Public Issues Team
How to organise Election Hustings from the Evangelical Alliance
Hustings Briefings from Quakers in Britain
Over the next couple of months we shall continue to share resources that will aid participation ahead of the General Election.
Events
West Midlands Accountability Assembly
25th April, organised by Birmingham Citizens, held at The Great Hall, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT
West Midlands Accountability Assembly 2024 (actionnetwork.org)
Articles
Thirty One Eight: Together we can – a manifesto for a safer society for all (16th April 2024)
Thirtyone:eight Safeguarding Standards Award (thirtyoneeight.org)
Evangelical Alliance: ID requirement at the ballot box (12th April 2024)
Voter ID: fraud prevention or a hindrance at the ballot box? – Evangelical Alliance (eauk.org)
Evangelical Alliance: Christian politicians share how their faith impacts their work (20th March 2024)
Christian politicians share how faith impacts their work – Evangelical Alliance (eauk.org)