How to vote...

I want to use this post to tell you how to vote.

After this week of manifestos it won’t be the first time that someone has tried to win you over to their way of thinking. Down the centuries Christians have, of course, taken widely differing political stances.

One of the most thought through examples of this is catholic social teaching. This is based on the idea that love is the supreme judge for any social policy. Flowing from this is a commitment to the values of justice, freedom and truth which should guide our decision making. These in turn lead to five inter-connected principals all of which should promote the ‘common good’ or human flourishing of all.

Now how this translates into any of the manifestos before us is slightly more tricky. Help, however, is at hand as Churches Together in Dulwich are hosting an evening to quiz the candidates on Wednesday 28 April (8pm, Methodist Church Hall on Half Moon Lane. Near the corner with Beckwith Avenue). The candidates for the four main political parties have all confirmed their attendance, so it will be an opportunity for you to put your questions directly to them.

After all that has happened over the last year, it seems important to hold our candidates to account and let them know that the Churches are an active and engaged part of their constituency. I will be chairing it, (doing my best impression of David Dimbleby) so do please come along with others to make your voice heard.

Oh, and how to vote? Well you put a cross next to the name of your favoured candidate, of course!