I mean cross in the political sense.
I have always been in the Conservative (Republican) camp but, in the light of Cameron's posturing (I was going to say 'Gay posturing') I feel less and less inclined to vote for a party that appears to be hell bent on destroying the concept of a Christian family.
Labour (Democrats) have, for some mystifying reason, always been the choice of the Catholic masses of England and Wales.
In fact, I can recall our curate in the late 80s proclaiming that if you were Catholic you could only vote for Labour.
I think that he is now a Social Worker.
But this party has even less of a Christian feel about it than the Tories, rooted, as it is in the joys of socialist dogma ("the equal distribution of misery" as Churchill once put it). And, anyway, who in their right mind would want Miliband running the country.
The Liberal Democrats (Marxist/Trotskyist Party) is the party that, single handedly, pushed for abortion to be legalised under David Steele.
Does he lie awake at night I wonder, musing on just how many infant deaths have occurred since he got his bill through?
I don't think so; Steele by name and Steel by nature, surgical steel if you will.
A definite no vote as far as I am concerned.
So where does that leave me? Up a certain creek minus a paddle I believe.
The Greens don't come into the equation - where to turn to?
In desperation I Googled 'Christian Political Parties' and came up with a trio of contenders.
The first, was called The Christian Party which sort of gave me a clue as to what it was all about but, not so fast, this party has more than a smack of evangelical Protestantism about it (of, course, I am not going to find my ideal, the Traditional Catholic Alliance Party) but, evangelicals give me the heebie jeebies so that's a no-no.
In addition, the website featured library shots of ethnically balanced groups with Colgate gleaming teeth and that also turns me off.
I like to see some reality on websites such as these.
Second on the list was the Christian People's Alliance - I like their website, it covers the key areas and it is clear and as "Catholic" as you are likely to get (not saying much, I know but 'the enemy of my enemy' and all that)
Next we have the Christian Democratic Party....mmm.....more shots of beautiful people from diverse ethnic backgrounds all looking totally unrepresentative of men and women on the Clapham Bus.
They also highlight their main aim as being...." To spread knowledge of Christian Principles and Faith and to promote the interests of the Party in the country and abroad...."
Do I want that in a political party?
No, I don't.
I want a Christian party that will govern Great Britain in line with Christian teaching and principles.
Evangelising is done by other groups, not political parties.
If you really wish to cast your vote for a party with wishy washy sounding ambitions, this is the party for you.
Finally, we have The Common Good party. This gets the award for not mentioning the word 'Christian' on its home page.
It is run by a vicar (Dick Rodgers) but, by his own admission only c. 100 people vote for them.
Not so good!
So far, only The Christian People's Alliance does it for me. And then only in a warmish fashion.
So, I guess at the next General Election the only course open to me is to found my own Christian party.
How about The Monster Raving Traditional Catholic Party as a working title?
No comments on that one, please.
I think you have put your finger on a key problem. We have, in my view, a Labour Party which has somehow become disengaged from working people, a Conservative Party that is far from conservative and a Liberal Party that has proved somewhat illiberal. I am a little surprised at your characterisation of the Conservatives as "republican" but, having decided to ditch marriage I suppose throwing over the monarchy cannot be far behind.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness I was only thinking of this key problem yesterday. Particularly in light of being cheated in to my vote by Cameron who then stuck two fingers up at abortion and marriage.
ReplyDeletePeter Tapsell the local MP has an excellent pro-Christian voting record and has always listened to the concerns of local Christians and voted in alignment with Catholic teaching. We also have the excellent uber-Catholic MP Edward Leigh who has fought and fought within paliament and in Europe for the correct outcomes. However, we have now got to the point where I wonder if it is worth voting for them if Cameron and the whips will steam roller their vote in parliament?
At the moment I would vote for either of them because at least they are strong voices in Westminster.
PS
I don't know if we should be shouting this too loudly quite yet in case things are scuppered at the last minute but, it is now likely we will have our first Catholic PM in the guise of Boris. He isn't practicing but, then as they say again God works in mysterious ways. This would be a major break though.
My understanding of the reason that UK Catholics traditionally voted for Labour is because, historically, Catholics were overwhelmingly working class at the time the Labour Party was formed, and remained so until the 1970s.
ReplyDeleteI had to smile when you wrote "Conservative (Republican)" and "Labour (Democrats)" although I know it was done for the benefit of readers on the other side of the Pond. My smile is because it could be argued that even the most right wing UK Conservative would probably seen to be somewhat to the left of President Obama by many Republicans, such is the polarisation in US politics.
Richard,
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I have to agree with your observations, especially as to those in regards to the-Political scene! You would have my vote anytime for that of President/Chairperson of a new Catholic Political Party!
God Bless,
Michael.
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ReplyDeleteSorry typo which made the statement into quite a paradox.
DeletePolitcs...There are many Catholic Americans who vote Democrat as they see it as being sympathetic to the poor.
I am registered as unaffiliated, though I vote almost exclusively Republican. I am forced to vote Republican from the get go as the Democrat is almost uniformly pro-abortion and anti-traditional marriage and as abortion is inherently evil it automatically a disqualifier; much like because the Nazi program was inherantly evil one could never compliment it's high employment rates.
"Catholic" Democrats seem always to adulterate their religion with politics and never their politics with religion. They want to be progressive yet they do not wish to progress in the direction Jesus points.
"In the dullest medieval morality we might have a joke about a progressive gentleman who, having passed heaven and come to purgatory, decided to go further and fare worse." G.K.Chesterton, "George Bernard Shaw"
Richard for once I have to disagree with you.I have never been able to understand how a Catholic felt able to vote Tory surely the two are completely incompatible.
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