Ministers of State meet Ministers of Religion

Amid the swirling hoards of media-types and lobbyists at the recent party conferences could be spotted a group of people wearing clerical collars, crosses and Salvation Army uniforms. It was the annual delegation of Free Church leaders to the three main party conferences.

This delegation, organised by the Joint Public Issues Team together with the Quakers and the Salvation Army, is now in its seventh year, and allows church leaders to build relationships with Christians and other politicians within the three main parties. They are able to offer a visible witness of support for the ministry of those involved in politics, and to demonstrate that the churches care deeply about political life.

At each of the conferences the delegation sponsored a fringe meeting jointly with the Christian groups within the parties – the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum, the Christian Socialist Movement and the Conservative Christian Fellowship – offering the opportunity at each for breakfast, prayer and a time of conversation and reflection. The fringe meetings were well attended by activists, local Christians and politicians. Pictured above are Andrew Stunell MP, minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government, together with Lt Col Marion Drew of the Salvation Army, Revd Alison Tomlin, President of the Methodist Church, and Revd Kirsty Thorpe, Co-Moderator of the United Reformed Church.

The delegation took the opportunity to meet a number of politicians, some of whom are Christians, others of whom were willing to discuss issues of shared concern with the Church Leaders. The delegation raised issues around climate change, the impact of spending cuts on the poorest in society, the detention of children for immigration purposes, and the ever elusive concept of the “Big Society”. On more than one occasion, the Church Leaders were asked to pray with politicians in the middle of the bustling conference centres as the politicians shared with them the particular and personal strains of a political life.

Revd Alison Tomlin, the President of the Methodist Conference, said:

“I got the impression that the politicians really want to talk to the faith communities. We have a better than ever opportunity to make known what it is that we believe God is asking us to say in the public arena about justice and peace issues, and it was great to be able to be a part of that. “

You can read more about the delegations to the Party Conferences at the blog of the President and the Vice President of the Methodist Conference.

Ed Miliband and the Living Wage

 

Ed Miliband impressed the Labour Party conference expressing the optimism of a “new generation” in the Labour movement. The real trick was to offer enough substance to avoid giving the impression of naivety or empty rhetoric. Standing from outside the labour movement and looking in I have to admit thought that he was the most exciting of the five who were standing for leadership of the Labour Party. Of course he has a long way to go and the critics will start finding their voice soon enough.

His party leader’s speech on Wednesday made passing reference to his campaign for adoption of a Living Wage. The Living Wage is higher than the minimum wage and is the minimum pay required to allow someone to live and participate in society.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies has conducted research that shows that companies paying below the "Living Wage" cost the taxpayer between £5.9bn and £6.3bn a year. This happens because people on very low wages also need to claim benefits make ends meet. Essentially this becomes a government subsidy to low paying employers.

Two business leaders (Graeme Leach and David Frost) have misinterpreted (unintentionally or otherwise) what Ed Miliband has proposed. He is however not proposing a massive hike in the minimum wage but supports offering tax incentives for companies that adopt the living wage. Companies would be encouraged to adopt the Living Wage over time.

Miliband has also urged that local authorities to implement the Living Wage through direct employment and clauses in procurement contracts.

Eventually public pressure might be the most significant factor in the adoption of a Living Wage. As the concept of the Living Wage becomes better appreciated, businesses (or indeed charitable organisations) that pay less than the living wage are likely to be perceived as exploiting some of the most vulnerable in our society.