Launching their manifesto for the European elections last week, the Christian Party and Christian Peoples Alliance say they want the European Union to promote
global justice and not just the interests of its own member states.

Campaigning on their touring Battle Bus in Brixton in south London, candidates for the two party alliance said Christianity represents the soul of Europe and its values must now shape the future priorities of the European Union.

Called "A Time of Jubilee", the manifesto draws on church social teaching and is inspired by the Drop the Debt campaign led by Jubilee 2000 and the churches that focussed on the needs of the developing world, rather than the demands of the western economies.

In the introduction, the two party leaders, Rev George Hargreaves and Cllr Alan Craig state: "We want a Europe that is not self-seeking but is a servant to bring God's justice to the world. We seek a Time of Jubilee for the earth. "

Speaking at the launch, Rev Hargreaves said Christianity had been "marginalised as an influence on public policy by a secular drive to 'privatise' belief".

"Our campaign in Europe is to restore the link between democracy, law and morality with the unbilical cord of Christianity," he said.

"Recognition of the cultural importance of Christianity will see the EU become more focussed on truth and integrity, the needs of our neighbours in the developing world and the crisis in the global economy for jobs, inequality and the health of the planet.

"We urge the British public to stand by the Christian worldview as the true Soul of Europe.

"Otherwise we will see false prophets and harmful ideologies, such as that of the far-right, enter into our current moral and spiritual vacuum. "

In a Time of Jubilee, the two parties outline policies for six key areas - a Christian Europe, a green global economy, trade justice for the developing world, respect for the human person, an end to "secrecy and corruption" in the EU, and a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.


On the web: www.VoteChristian.info or www.cpaparty.org.uk