London: Shadow chancellor to debate theology and economics

John McDonnell - Wiki image

Labour's shadow chancellor will give a speech outlining his views on the economy today, but with a difference. He will be debating economics and morality in the chapel at Westminster Central Hall, with a leading US theologian and economist, Professor Daniel Finn.

Mr McDonnell will be taking part in the annual Tawney Dialogue, which is run by Christians on the Left. Christians on the Left, formerly known as the Christian
Socialist Movement, is the organisation for Christians in the Labour Party. It encompasses members from all parts of the Labour Party. The event is named after prominent Labour Party member and Christian Socialist RH Tawney.

As Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell is the Government's foremost critic on economic issues. Before running Jeremy Corbyn's successful leadership campaign, he served as Chair of the Socialist Campaign Group in Parliament and the Labour Representation Committee. He has been an MP since 1997.

Mr McDonnell will be responding to a speech from Daniel Finn, Professor of Theology and Clemens Professor of Economics at St John's University in Minnesota. Professor Finn is an international speaker, writer and researcher, and lectures in ethics and economics, morality, markets and international trade. He has written many prominent books including "The Moral Ecology of Markets" and "Christian Economic Ethics".

Ruth Mawhinney of the website Christian Today will chair the event, which will also see discussion opened up to the audience.

Andy Flannagan, Director of Christians on the Left said: "It is not every day you get the chance to listen to someone who is both a professor of economics and a professor of theology. The Panama Papers scandal clearly demonstrates that we need these two disciplines to come together much more. It is hard at the moment to say that we have an economy that fully promotes the common good. This debate, with Labour's Shadow Chancellor, comes at just the right time."

The Tawney Dialogue will be held on Wednesday 13 April at 6.40pm to 8.40pm at The Chapel, Methodist Central Hall, Westminster.

For full details see: www.christiansontheleft.org.uk/tawney_2016 .

The Tawney Dialogue is preceded by Christians on the Left's AGM, at which Member of Parliament Jonathan Reynolds will take over as Chair from Stephen Timms MP.