St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

A democratic concern

Following local concerns, the Bradford Trades Union Council (BTUC) has been contacting local groups to ask for help in persuading people that political parties of the far right should not be elected to the City Council. At first one might think "the church is not about party politics" - that's true. But the church is about the welfare of the community, ensuring the poor and marginalised are heard, and about sticking up for the alien, the refugee, the poor and the groups which can be picked on by others. Hence this article.

The second World War was fought partly because Hitler's views, about 'superiority' of one race over others, were wrong and unacceptable. It would be tragic if similar politics were allowed to creep in by the back door at local and European elections this June.

Who would vote for such politics? The evidence seems to be that far-right parties gain support from two sections of the community: (a) first-time white male voters; and (b) people from a working-class background who have succeeded in bettering themselves, moved to nicer areas, and are worried about others from other ethnic backgrounds following them. In many ways these "(b)" people are a puzzle: far-right parties often talk about problems in education, employment and diversion of resources - not issues faced by "(b)" people.

In Bradford the new Eccleshill ward, which now includes Fagley (so it covers the whole of the parish of St. Luke's), and the Idle and Thackley ward, are probably the places where far-right politics have most support. It has been suggested that these two wards have the highest density in Bradford of paid-up far-right party members (but, of course, party membership is a private thing, so I don't know how one could know this!)

It has also been suggested that the strategy of just encouraging people to vote positively, without naming the danger if they don't, doesn't work.

How people use their vote is their own business, and the church doesn't support any one political party. But BTUC points out that churches, community groups and other political parties across Bradford can all work together to encourage voters to vote responsibly. It is vitally necessary that the City Council is not sidetracked from its task of making Bradford better for everyone who lives here, and it would be a great pity if even one far-right candidate was elected.

The BTUC can be contacted by e-mail at afc@bradfordtuc.org.uk or by phone at 0795 1162011. They'd welcome volunteers to help get a message about democracy across.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. April 2004, Page 8.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (April 2004) Easter, Passion Play, Pink Custard, Democracy. Other articles on democracy.	A democratic concern Following local concerns, the Bradford Trades Union Council (BTUC) has been contacting local groups to ask for help in persuading people that political parties of the far right should not be elected to the City Council. At first one might think "the church is not about party politics" - that's true. But the church is about the welfare of the community, ensuring the poor and marginalised are heard, and about sticking up for the alien, the refugee, the poor and the groups which can be picked on by others. Hence this article. The second World War was fought partly because Hitler's views, about 'superiority' of one race over others, were wrong and unacceptable. It would be tragic if similar politics were allowed to creep in by the back door at local and European elections this June. Who would vote for such politics? The evidence seems to be that far-right parties gain support from two sections of the community: (a) first-time white male voters; and (b) people from a working-class background who have succeeded in bettering themselves, moved to nicer areas, and are worried about others from other ethnic backgrounds following them. In many ways these "(b)" people are a puzzle: far-right parties often talk about problems in education, employment and diversion of resources - not issues faced by "(b)" people. In Bradford the new Eccleshill ward, which now includes Fagley (so it covers the whole of the parish of St. Luke's), and the Idle and Thackley ward, are probably the places where far-right politics have most support. It has been suggested that these two wards have the highest density in Bradford of paid-up far-right party members (but, of course, party membership is a private thing, so I don't know how one could know this!) It has also been suggested that the strategy of just encouraging people to vote positively, without naming the danger if they don't, doesn't work. How people use their vote is their own business, and the church doesn't support any one political party. But BTUC points out that churches, community groups and other political parties across Bradford can all work together to encourage voters to vote responsibly. It is vitally necessary that the City Council is not sidetracked from its task of making Bradford better for everyone who lives here, and it would be a great pity if even one far-right candidate was elected. The BTUC can be contacted by e-mail at afc@bradfordtuc.org.uk or by phone at 0795 1162011. They'd welcome volunteers to help get a message about democracy across. John Hartley
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