Theo Hobson Theo Hobson

Christianity is at the heart of Britain’s shared values

Theresa May does a decent job of saying that Christianity is at the
heart of our shared values. It’s a difficult thing to say without sounding disparaging of non-Christians, but I think it’s something worth saying.

Some will say that the Prime Minister should stick to politics, especially when there’s so much politics to do, and stay away from religion. If she wants to give us a headmistressy pep-talk, fine, but keep it strictly secular. I don’t agree. It’s for each prime minister to decide whether to veer into religious territory. (There’s no constitutional bar to him or her getting all happy-clappy – not a danger with this glumly cautious Anglo-Catholic.) And there’s no clear border between politics and religion. Part of political leadership is articulating our shared values, especially in times of mild crisis. Brexit is a mild crisis (whether you’re for or against) in which it’s necessary to step back and remember what we have in common.

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