Lib Dem Christian Forum

As a newly-minted member of the Liberal Democrats, I was interested to discover the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum (LDCF) - a lively, enthusiastic group which exists to encourage Christian involvement in politics. Their aim is to get every Christian member of the party to join the Forum. Vice Presidents of the LDCF include the new party leader Tim Farron, and the party president, Baroness Sal Brinton.

In 2013 the LDCF published a book entitled 'Liberal Democrats do God', a title no doubt inspired by spin doctor Alastair Cambell's interruption of Tony Blair during an interview in 2003 when he said 'We don't do God.' Through contributions from high profile Liberal Democrats (including Brinton, Farron and Alan Beith) the argument for Christian values in politics is strongly set out.

At the recent Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth, I attended a LDCF prayer breakfast at which Simon Hughes gave three vignettes in which his faith had shaped political events he was involved in. The event was oversubscribed, with standing room only for many. Following that, the LDCF AGM elected a new Executive, with a healthy number of newbies to the party being appointed to serve. I have no doubt that much will be heard from them in the coming months. The LDCF is ecumenical, and works in conjunction withe the Christian fellowships of the other main parties.

(Charles Mather is a minister of the United Reformed Church who ministers to a Local Ecumenical Partnership Church in Cambridge, whose traditions include Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Quaker and Reformed).

For more information see: www.ldcf.org/