Quotes from the House (No. 2)

House of Commons, Tues 12 December 2006, Order for Second reading of the Greater London Authority Bill:

Michael Gove MP (Surrey Heath, Conservative): "From the Liberal Democrats, there were interesting speeches . . . They rubbished a central plank of the legislation, but they nevertheless support the Bill. I thought that letting it be known that one opposes the central plank of a Government proposal but voting for it anyway was the prerogative of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I am delighted that the Liberal Democrats have maintained their stance of organised hypocrisy."

Archbishop speaks out on Big Brother and BNP

The Archbishop of York has spoken publicly about the alleged racism in the Channel 4 Celebrity Big Brother house.
The comments from Dr John Sentamu were part of his speech as he gave the 20th Martin Luther King Memorial Lecture in London on Saturday 20th January. Bringing the Church into the centre of what has become a diplomatic issue, Dr Sentamu said that the bullying in the house demonstrated an "ugly underbelly in society only too ready to point the finger at the foreigner, or those who might not fit in".
Last year he rejected an invitation to appear on Celebrity Big Brother. Dr Sentamu further highlighted disturbing examples of continued racism in our society,commenting on the recent case of a judge who said a racial abuse prosecution brought before him was "nonsense", and advised the defendant that next time he should use language that would not refer to colour (even though it may be offensive).
Referring to these recent events Dr Sentamu quoted Martin Luther King, stating that, "ignorance is the root of all prejudice. Sadly ignorance is not in short supply".

The Observer newspaper (21.01.07) commented that Dr Sentamu disputed calls from the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, that British National Party (BNP) members should be refused communion in the Church. "Of course the BNP is wrong in its message of ethnic superiority and hatred towards all Muslims, Jews and the rest of us whom it would deport given the first opportunity, but Jesus Christ died for them as well. The communion table must always be open to those who are unworthy of it, and I count myself most unworthy of all to approach the altar of God."



Aidan Liriano (CPF Co'Ordinator)

Quotes from the House (No. 1)

To brighten up your day, our CPF squirrel in Westminster has come across some debates in the Houses of Parliament that might just bring a smile to your face.

House of Commons, Tues 12 December 2006, Order for Second reading of the Greater London Authority Bill:

Michael Gove MP (Surrey Heath, Conservative): "We have had a lively and well-informed debate, and I pay tribute to all honourable Members who spoke.
From among Labour Members . . . all of them found flaws in the legislation, save the honourable Member for Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush. I am surethat he will find his reward in heaven, or after a change of party leadership - whichever he reaches first."

The Continuing Issues of Israel and Palestine

(Press Association)
Just before Christmas, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
This was to highlight some of the problems of the growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, not least the damage Israeli security measures were doing to the town of Bethlehem.
Refering to the visit during a sermon on Christmas Day, Archbishop Williams mentioned his concerns, stating that there was a lack of belief there in finding a political solution and asking the congregation not to forget the current problems in the Holy Land.
However, he added that there was a determination in some quarters to find a solution.
A rather apt sermon for Christmas 2006 if ever there was one.

Happy New Year for 2007

We hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas time and would like to wish you a Happy New Year. We hope that God blesses you and your families in 2007. Following a day of prayer and discussion, we are excited about the future of the Christian Political Forum and hope that you will be able to join with us in progressing the CPF vision this year.

Happy New Year

Paul and Aidan CPF Co-ordinators