This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8065583.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Archbishops unite against the BNP | Archbishops unite against the BNP |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have urged voters not to let anger over the expenses scandal drive them to vote for the BNP in next month's elections. | The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have urged voters not to let anger over the expenses scandal drive them to vote for the BNP in next month's elections. |
| Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu said it would be "tragic" if people abstained or voted BNP at the local and European elections on 4 June. | Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu said it would be "tragic" if people abstained or voted BNP at the local and European elections on 4 June. |
| Their statement said disillusionment was understandable but voters should not allow their anger to be exploited. | |
| The BNP said the bishops did not represent the views of the public. | |
| 'Great vigilance' | 'Great vigilance' |
| Dr Williams and Dr Sentamu said the forthcoming elections were taking place "at a time of extraordinary turbulence in our democratic system". | Dr Williams and Dr Sentamu said the forthcoming elections were taking place "at a time of extraordinary turbulence in our democratic system". |
| "The temptation to stay away or register a protest vote in order to send a negative signal to the parties represented at Westminster will be strong. | "The temptation to stay away or register a protest vote in order to send a negative signal to the parties represented at Westminster will be strong. |
| "In our view, however, it would be tragic if the understandable sense of anger and disillusionment with some MPs over recent revelations led voters to shun the ballot box." | "In our view, however, it would be tragic if the understandable sense of anger and disillusionment with some MPs over recent revelations led voters to shun the ballot box." |
| It is an opportunity for renewing the vision of a community united by mutual respect Dr Rowan Williams Dr John Sentamu | It is an opportunity for renewing the vision of a community united by mutual respect Dr Rowan Williams Dr John Sentamu |
| The archbishops appealed on voters to exercise "great vigilance" in making their decision on who to vote for. | |
| Some parties, they said, would exploit the current political climate to foster "fear and division within communities, especially between people of different faiths or racial background". | Some parties, they said, would exploit the current political climate to foster "fear and division within communities, especially between people of different faiths or racial background". |
| They said rather than caving in to anger, the elections were a chance to show higher ideals. | They said rather than caving in to anger, the elections were a chance to show higher ideals. |
| "It is an opportunity for renewing the vision of a community united by mutual respect, high ethical standards and the pursuit of justice and peace. | "It is an opportunity for renewing the vision of a community united by mutual respect, high ethical standards and the pursuit of justice and peace. |
| "Those whom we elect to local councils and the European Parliament will represent us and our collective interests for many years to come. | "Those whom we elect to local councils and the European Parliament will represent us and our collective interests for many years to come. |
| We have a perfectly legitimate right to oppose multi-culturalism and we reject this criticism utterly BNP spokesman | |
| "It is crucial to elect those who wish to uphold the democratic values and who wish to work for the common good in a spirit of public service, which urgently needs to be reaffirmed in these difficult days," they said. | "It is crucial to elect those who wish to uphold the democratic values and who wish to work for the common good in a spirit of public service, which urgently needs to be reaffirmed in these difficult days," they said. |
| "We hope that electors will use their vote on 4 June to renew the vision of a community united by the common good, public service and the pursuit of justice." | "We hope that electors will use their vote on 4 June to renew the vision of a community united by the common good, public service and the pursuit of justice." |
| The BNP said it alone was standing up against what it claimed was the "Islamification of Britain". | |
| A BNP spokesman told the BBC: "We have a perfectly legitimate right to oppose multi-culturalism and we reject this criticism utterly. | |
| "If they are so concerned about the BNP, why haven't the Christian establishment come to us for discourse? | |
| "These Church leaders don't represent the views of the public." | |
| The spokesman said the archbishops were trying to make themselves relevant in the modern world and that "the Church should stay out of politics". |