Archbishop Nichols urges people to vote

Archbishop Vincent Nichols has joined Premier Christian Media in encouraging people to vote in the up-coming UK General Election.

Premier's campaign, Promise to Vote, seeks to get Christians to sign a declaration stating their intention to vote with the purpose of showing Parliament that they must take notice of the Christian vote.

In a recent interview with Premier, Archbishop Nichols asked Christians to take a close look at party candidates to make sure that they were standing for the 'common good'.

"I would urge every Christian to look carefully at the manifestos that are put out, to questions candidates and to have one thing in mind. Is the candidate willing to put the common good at the centre of their concerns and policies?"

Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, stressed the importance of having the right to vote and utilising that right.

"Voting changes the world. We can all say our prayers and hope that they can influence the world, but to go into that ballot box for just one minute every four or five years, helps to shape the world."

"Go along to the ballot box and vote. Fulfil your civic duty as a citizen of our country, go and influence and shape the democracy of our country in a way that across the world, people died for. Don't just treat it as a luxury, see it as your responsibility."

The election is fast approaching, to make your promise to vote, see: www.promisetovote.com