The comments by Faithworks Founder Rev Steve Chalke MBE come the day before the airing of the groundbreaking BBC2 documentary God and the politicians (28/09/05), which investigates fears that religion has staked too great a claim on the political agenda in the light of the growth of faith schools and the ever-increasing role that faith groups are playing in the provision of public services.

“Faith and politics is a good mix for the health of Britain,” says Rev Chalke. “Christians get involved in politics not because they want power, but because they want to serve. They are motivated by their faith to work for the common good. Britain would be a lot worse off without the values, commitment and involvement of people of faith in the political arena - both locally and nationally.”

His comments about the mix of religion and politics are backed by an ICM poll conducted on behalf of the BBC in July 2005, which found that 65% of respondents agreed with the statement: “UK laws should be respect and influenced by the values of the main religions in the UK”.

Rev Chalke, who is featured on the BBC2 programme, believes that, despite the fears of some commentators and secular groups, Britain is in a much better place than the US with regards to the relationship between religion and politics.

“We make a mistake if we confuse what’s happening here with what’s going on in America,” Chalke says. “The situation in the UK is not one where religion is aligned with either the left or the right. It is not about any particular denomination being ‘in the pocket’ of any one political party. There should always be a healthy tension in the relationship between Church and State. I think that here in Britain we have an approach that works – one that recognises the benefits that personal faith brings to political decision-making.”

For further information about God and the politicians, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/listings/programme.shtml?day=wednesday&service_id=4284&filename=20050928/20050928_1900_4284_29082_50

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