Social justice at home and abroad

David Cameron Conservative
For me, faith and politics are both linked and separate. How can that be? While I am a Christian, I am not a Roman Catholic. But, like many Catholics, I believe that the political and religious realms are separate – in the sense that I take Lord Hailsham’s view that, for most people, there are some things in life that are more important than the rough and tumble of day-to-day politics, including for many people their religious beliefs. Furthermore, the way in which we relate our faith to our politics varies widely.
But politics and faith cannot be wholly disentangled. How we practise our faith affects how we approach life in general, and how we view developments in the political world.
How to vote is a personal matter. But I believe that there are a number of reasons why Catholics should consider voting for the Conservative Party.
There is an old principle in Catholic social teaching called subsidiarity, designed to distinguish between the civil and religious domains. It is a principle that Conservatives also believe applies in politics. We believe that society consists of so much more than just the state. There is one institution in particular that cares for the elderly, nurtures the sick, looks after children, instills vital values and protects the disabled, that needs greater recognition and support. That institution is the family – and for Conservatives it is the basic building block of society. Every policy should meet the basic test: will this help families to thrive? We also strongly believe in devolving power to the most appropriate local level and recognise that government, at whatever level, is not always best equipped to address issues. That’s why we have always strongly supported the voluntary sector; and why we want to give people the freedom to take the important decisions about their families, and to spend more of the money they earn.
Like Catholics, Conservatives believe in social justice at home and abroad. We believe in public service, and in the public services. We support extra investment, but profoundly believe that after decades of centralisation, they need devolution and local freedom.
We strongly support the fight against global poverty. A Conservative government will back further action on debt relief and will work to meet the UN target of spending 0.7 per cent of national income on overseas aid by 2013. Conservatives also understand that there is a golden thread that links aid and debt relief with property rights, the rule of law, good government, democracy, trade, economic development and social progress. Only by pursuing all these goals will we genuinely make poverty history.
For some Christians, moral issues such as abortion, euthanasia and embryo research will play an important part in how they vote. The Conservative Party has always treated these as free-vote issues for individual MPs. Michael Howard has made clear that time would be given for a Private Member’s Bill so that Parliament could look again at the abortion law, time limits and the operation of the 1967 Act.
As the Catholic Bishops in England and Wales noted recently, voting in a General Election should seldom, if ever, be based on a single issue. If we are elected, the Conservative Party will govern in a way that reflects the values which our party holds dear, values which, I strongly believe, will promote both the interests of our country and the common good.
The choice before the voters on May 5 is very clear: they can either reward Mr Blair for eight years of broken promises and vote for another five years of talk; or they can vote Conservative, to support a party that’s taken a stand and is committed to action on the issues that matter to hard working Britons.
David Cameron is seeking re-election as Conservative MP for Witney