Timely call for Kirk to help people prepare for General Election
Published on 24 May 2024 3 minutes read
A call encouraging churches to help people exercise their right to vote became unexpectedly topical at this week's General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
A motion by Rev Tim Norwood encouraging churches and presbyteries to share resources from the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office ahead of this year's UK General Election was heard by the General Assembly in Edinburgh soon after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed an election date of July 4th.
"When I put in to speak, I didn't realise how immediate this would be," Mr Norwood told commissioners.
The Church of Scotland and other denominations have put together a resources pack for congregations in anticipation of a General Election this year and Mr Norward urged churches to make use of the resource both to encourage people to vote and host their own ecumenical hustings in the run up to the election.
"Ecumenical hustings provide opportunities to meet with our politicians, both to have our voices heard and to build relationships with Members of Parliament for the communing years," Mr Norwood said.
This will be the first election in Scotland where photographic ID will be required and Mr Norwood warned the rule changes were likely to impact on a large number of people.
He had recently conducted a pilot exercise with a congregation and found that of the 80 people asked, 11 eligible voters were not yet registered.
A way to show love for our neighbours
Emma Jackson, the Church of Scotland's Public Life and Social Justice convenor, also urged churches to make use of the resources to encourage more people to vote.
"At its heart, politics is all about improving the structures and systems of our society," she said.
"That is something that we should all benefit from, that our neighbour should benefit from – our neighbour who might be in more complex or more challenging circumstances than those we find ourselves in.
"Exercising our right to vote is a very real way in which we can show love for our neighbour."
The Prime Minister's announcement of an election on July 4th made it all the more important to be reflecting on the issue at the General Assembly, she added.
"This election will be the first time here in Scotland where voter ID is required," she continued.
"We saw it happen for our friends down in England with their recent local council elections – though I think a few famous people forgot to bring their ID with them.
"We know that photographic ID is a barrier to certain communities exercising their right to vote – disabled people, ethnic minorities and those on a low income. There is a very real concern that these groups will become disenfranchised. Local churches have such an incredible opportunity to help people in their community to get ready, to have the right ID, to get registered and to actually support and help people to vote.
"There is no suggestion whatsoever that any of this has any impact on how people vote. That is each and every person's free choice."
As well as holding hustings, she suggested that churches might also provide an opportunity for new MPs to meet the public after the election.
"It is an opportunity to have conversations and influence their priorities as they start their term of office," she added.
The General Assembly also agreed a further amendment from Christine Murdoch to encourage anyone on holiday to apply for a postal vote given the date of the General Election coincides with the Scottish school holidays.
Advice on how churches can get involved in elections and host hustings can be found on our Elections and Hustings page.
We expect to add more information in the coming weeks to help churches prepare for the General Election.