London: Why did a church host a far-right political conference?

Emmanuel Centre, Wiki Image

On Saturday, 7th February, the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster hosted the far-right political party Advance UK. The Emmanuel Centre is a well-known Christian venue, affiliated with Emmanuel Church. Last year, among other events, they hosted ecumenical prayers at the start of the March For Life.

Advance UK, whose members include Tommy Robinson, said the event hosted in the building on Saturday was to "unveil the first of our national policies on Restoration & Immigration".

A crowd gathered outside the venue, to oppose the exclusionary rhetoric and politics of the party, and against a Christian venue hosting the event.

At the conference, Advance UK announced a policy of suspending all asylum claims, which would result in nobody being allowed to apply for asylum in the UK. They also propose banning public Muslim calls to prayer and the right to wear a niqab.

Symon Hill, a Christian author and university chaplain in the West Midlands, was one of several Christians who contacted The Emmanuel Centre multiple times ahead of the 7th February, both highlighting to them and questioning their decision to host the Advance UK policy launch event.

Mr Hill said: "The far-right in the UK are more visible than they have ever been in my lifetime. Racist rhetoric has become mainstream, refugees are attacked instead of welcomed, Muslims and Jews are demonised, marginalised groups such as trans people and disabled people are viciously scapegoated. The only minority who the far-right don't attack are the rich and powerful, as refugees and migrants are blamed for problems caused by unjust structures of wealth and power.

"As a university chaplain, I am constantly inspired by students challenging racism and bigotry in their everyday lives. Christians should be at the forefront of the struggle to uphold human dignity by challenging the far-right. But now we have Emmanuel Church and the Emmanuel Centre promoting the far-right by allowing their venue to be used for the vile racist agenda of Advance UK.

"The Emmanuel Centre must stop ignoring the questions. The use of churches by far-right parties must never become normalised."

Holly-Anna Petersen is from Christians for a Welcoming Britain, a grassroots movement of Christians who aim to make people of different nationalities feel safe in the country.

Reflecting on the wider context of Church activities in the UK, she said: "We are often hearing in the news about the far-right, and those in the church who are getting swept up in this. But we need to remember that the overarching picture is still one of the UK church doing beautiful work of welcome - caring for those in our neighbourhoods regardless of background or nationality. It may not be dramatic or feel newsworthy. But it's the daily grind of love in practice that is so precious about the church."

Ben Bano from 'Seeking Sanctuary', a charity and member of Caritas Social Action Network, which provides humanitarian assistance to migrants, especially children, stranded in northern France, and works to raise awareness in the Catholic community, commented: "The far right has no place in a Christian place of worship. Both Pope Francis and Pope Leo have repeatedly reminded us that migrants and refugees should welcomed and not stigmatised."

Phil Kerton from Seeking Sanctuary commented: "It is perhaps significant that the Centre is located in Marsham Street, opposite the Home Office, where monthly prayer vigils take place to name and remember all refugees who have died trying to seek sanctuary in Europe and the United Kingdom.

"For those seeking to join a vigil, and who are perhaps unaware of the days and times, and of the Home Office location, they take place on the third Monday of every each month from 12:30 to 1:30pm in front of the Home Office at, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF."

We were unable to get a comment from the Emmanuel Centre.