General Election #PrayYourPart
Ad Clerum from Bishop Sarah
As you know, on the 4th of July our country goes to the polls to elect the MPs we wish to represent us at Westminster. The Church of England nationally is urging everyone with the right to vote to make sure they take up this democratic opportunity to have a say in how our country is to be governed over the next few years and what sort of society we wish to live in. I am writing to support this call here in our Diocese of Durham and to highlight key ways we can all be involved including supporting others to play their part.
#PrayYourPart
As Christians we have the privilege of being able to bring our hopes and concerns to God in prayer. Pray Your Part is an invitation from the bishops of the Church of England for us all to join in prayer and participation for the life of our nation and communities, both as voters and as citizens. This 21-day journey of prayer and reflection begins this Friday 14 June and runs until Election Day. Each day explores a different theme, with a short Bible reading, reflection and prayer for a different aspect of our common life. You can sign-up to these reflections by clicking here. Please let as many people as possible know about this opportunity.
Candidate hustings
Over the next few weeks, many of our churches and church halls will become venues for important hustings events as politicians put their case as to why we should vote for them. Please let us know if you are hosting any of these events and we can help you publicise them through our diocesan communications channels. If you need any advice, please contact our communications team at communications@durham.anglican.org
Voter registration
I am passionate about people exercising their vote given the long struggle for universal suffrage. It was only in 1918 in the Representation of the People Act that all men over 21 became eligible to vote and only in the 1928 Equal Franchise Act that women over 21 were given the same voting rights as men. Having all our voices heard is so important to a healthy democracy and I would really urge any who have not yet registered to vote to do so. There are now only 7 days left to do this. You can register to vote by clicking here.
Facts that surprised me are:
- 8 million eligible voters will miss out because they are not properly registered.
- 4 million eligible voters will miss out because they don’t have Photo ID.
- And 14 million eligible voters won’t see the point of turning out to vote.
The Church of England is also encouraging parishes to accredit as Voter Registration Champions, and this is also being supported locally by Tyne and Wear Citizens. It is a simple process of encouraging voter registration and raising awareness of the ID rules and encouraging turnout. You can sign up here.
On the 4th July we have the opportunity to shape the kind of society we want to live in. Please engage with the political debate and encourage everyone with the right to vote to participate in the democratic process. But most of all take up this opportunity to pray with all your heart and mind and strength at this key moment in the life of our nation.
Grace and peace to you
+ Sarah