Does religion matter in politics today? It certainly does, at least if you pose as someone who is neutral, as the BBC presenters do, or from the centre ground, or if you’re an avowed secularist.
On BBC Radio 4 yesterday morning, Conservative MP Danny Kruger was asked how his stance on the Assisted Dying Bill was informed by his Christian beliefs. He said that it was, but hastened to add that many public Christians are in favour of the Bill, while many atheists oppose it.
The MP for East Wiltshire has been questioned about the link between his faith and his politics before, and he will be asked again. It seems that those who profess to be neutral distrust any religious connection of this kind. This mentality has been especially on show in regards to the Assisted Dying Bill, with Charlie Falconer previously questioning whether his Labour colleague Shabana Mahmood should speak on the matter, on account of her ‘religious reasons’.
"My intention… is to ensure if the bill passes, then it's as safe as possible."
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