Ann Widdecombe: ‘Christian politicians shouldn’t have to leave faith at the door’

Ann Widdecombe, a former Shadow Home Secretary, has encouraged people to speak up when they see discrimination against Christians in politics.

Citing the well-publicised hostility towards Kate Forbes and Tim Farron over their Christian beliefs, Widdecombe said Christians “shouldn’t have to leave their faith at the door”.

She particularly noted how Lib Dem parliamentary candidate David Campanale was deselected after sharing his biblical convictions on ethical issues.

Equality and inclusion

Writing in the Daily Express, Widdecombe said: “Diversity and tolerance seem to extend to every group except Christians in modern Britain.”

She added that Christians “face a secular inquisition, especially from so-called ‘liberals’ who claim to champion equality and inclusion”.

She described Campanale’s deselection as “brazen hypocrisy” given the Lib Dem constitution’s claim to “reject all prejudice and discrimination based upon race, colour, religion, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation”.

Writing before the General Election, Widdecombe urged the public to “speak up” and hold to account the political parties that represent them.

History lessons

The former Conservative MP cited a poll by Whitestone Insight of more than 2,000 British adults, which found that 57 per cent of Lib Dem voters thought he should not have been deselected. This rose to 75 per cent for all those surveyed.

“Christians deserve a seat at the table and shouldn’t have to leave their faith at the door.”

Widdecombe cited William Wilberforce as someone who was able to combine an effective political career with deeply held Christian beliefs.

She warned: “No one wants to see a complete secular takeover of British politics. Christians deserve a seat at the table and shouldn’t have to leave their faith at the door.”

And she concluded: “David Campanale is just the latest in a long line of victims. The treatment of Christians in politics is neither liberal nor democratic. It’s time for the quiet majority to speak up and demand change.”