CHURCHGOERS in England and Wales are significantly more likely than the final population to vote for centrist or left-wing parties on the General Election on Thursday, recent polling from the Bible Society suggests.
A survey of 1214 “lively” Christians — individuals who attend church at the least once a month — was carried out throughout the first two weeks of June, and published on Friday. Respondents were pooled from the Bible Society’s Resonate panel of about 5000 churchgoing Christians.
Of all respondents, 70 per cent said that they intended to vote for left-wing or centre-left parties: 40 per cent Labour, 23 per cent Liberal Democrat, and 7 per cent Green.
A YouGov survey of 2144 UK adults, conducted on 3 and 4 June, put the voting intentions for the final population at 57 per cent for these parties: 40 per cent Labour, 10 per cent Liberal Democrat, and 7 per cent Green.
Older churchgoers were also more prone to vote Labour and Liberal Democrat than the final population. Among churchgoers aged 65-plus, 39 per cent said that they’d vote Labour, compared with 22 per cent of the final population of this age group polled by YouGov.
Almost one quarter of churchgoers on this group (23 per cent) intended to vote for the Liberal Democrats, compared with nine per cent within the YouGov survey. Older churchgoers were just as prone to vote Conservative (24 per cent), compared with 32 per cent within the YouGov survey. Just seven per cent of older churchgoers intended to vote Reform, against 26 per cent amongst older people generally.
Green Party figures were roughly similar, at six and five per cent respectively.
The Bible Society poll also found that priests were much more prone to vote for parties on the left or centre-left: 50 per cent intended to vote Labour, 18 per cent Liberal Democrat, and ten per cent Green. Just 15 per cent intended to vote Conservative; six per cent Reform.
The poll also broke responses down by denomination. It found that the Conservative vote had declined amongst Anglican churchgoers. Just 20 per cent intend to vote Tory, compared with the 38 per cent who intended to vote Conservative in 2019 (when 44 per cent of the final population voted for the party).
Dr Rob Barward-Symmons, who conducted the research, said that the outcomes were “bucking some old stereotypes — particularly that the Church of England is the ‘Conservative party at prayer’.
“While, in fact, faithful Christians are represented across all the main parties, after we dig into the explanations respondents gave, we found that social justice, compassion for all in society, and look after creation were usually cited as biblical values they saw evidenced within the left and centre parties.
“We also saw that those that are more engaged with their local people through their church usually tend to vote for left and centre parties. Previous research from our partners at Theos has shown the political differences between practising and non-practising Christians, and this research further reinforces the necessity to recognise this significant distinction.”
On Saturday, the Archbishop of Canterbury warned against the usage of “personalised abuse” of party candidates in the ultimate days before the election. He wrote on X: “In these previous few days before the election, allow us to pray for all candidates participating on this most essential act of democracy.
“Let us encourage courteous and sort debate and never use personalised abuse. Let us rigorously consider issues and the common good, and above all vote.”
Also on Friday, in an article for the Yorkshire Post, the Archbishop of York encouraged the population to exercise their democratic right to vote, even where people felt disenfranchised, had other plans, or where “other challenges” resembling caring responsibilities, illness, bereavement, or funds were taking priority.
“We can’t get away from the undeniable fact that it’s those that turn up who’ve a say in forming the following Government. Our electoral system is definitely not perfect, nevertheless it remains to be true that participation is required to have an effect.
“It can be a tragic and dysfunctional day for politics if deciding who our next Government is, is completed only by those whose lives have improved for the reason that last election. Democracy can be undermined if only those that feel their vote is powerful and influential turned out to vote. It can be a failure of our system if only those that are usually not facing challenges or who aren’t busy on polling day turn up.”
Pointing to the Church of England’s campaign Pray your Part (News, 24 May), he continued: “We need everyone’s voice and we’d like everyone to vote. . . Decisions are made by those that show up. Democracy requires participation. So, set your alarm, put a reminder in your phone, tie a knot in your handkerchief, and remind your folks and family. But, most of all, turn up. Have your say. And forged your vote on Thursday.”
The acting Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Revd Jackie Searle, agreed that the population must be reminded of the “privilege” of democracy, and the legacy of suffrage.
“People say that politics and religion don’t mix, but, for me, they’re completely inseparable. Jesus demonstrated that in his look after people, in how he each challenged structures, and showed what it’s to actually love and look after each other.
“So, for me, politics really is about how we organise ourselves as a rustic. It’s concerning the things that we value. And I feel, with a parish church at the guts of just about every community, Christians have a lot to say on this arena, with on-the-ground experience of what will profit the entire community and the country.”
