The Christian Socialist Movement has come out in defence of the Archbishop of Canterbury after he faced a storm of criticism over comments about the Coalition.

Writing in the New Statesman, Dr Rowan Williams questioned the manner and speed with which the Coalition had pushed through its policies, particularly on education and health reform.

He claimed the Big Society had become a “stale slogan” and also criticised the Labour Party for failing to offer any real alternatives.

The Christian Socialist Movement said it was right not only for the Archbishop to speak out, but also to be heard.

CSM Director Andy Flannagan said too many people had been “eager to dismiss” Dr Williams’ words without reading his entire article.

“He spoke from the perspective of the church, which is embedded in communities across the land and active in helping build and support those communities," he said.

“When the leader of such a well-placed organisation expresses concern about the risks to the poor from government policies, the government needs to listen.”

CSM has been participating in the Labour Party’s renewal project, ‘Refounding Labour’.

Mr Flannagan said the Archbishop had been “spot on” in writing that the Labour Party needed to work out its vision.

“The Labour Party needs to take not too,” he said.

“Christians in the Labour Party are actively contributing to helping build a robust alternative to this Conservative-Liberal government.”