THE
P RTAL
June 2017
Page 3
P ortal Comment
The General Election
Will Burton has been reading the Bishops’ advice to Catholics
T
hursday 8 th June 2017 is the day. REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS The UK
The media, the newspapers, are full of the
politicians trying to persuade us to vote for them.
Our Bishops have issued a letter to all Catholics in
England and Wales. It contains some guidelines on
how Catholics ought to vote. The letter stresses the
point that the actual party, the actual candidate, for
whom we vote is a matter of individual conscience.
Nevertheless, the Bishops do set out some principals
for us to consider:
LEAVING THE EUROPEAN UNION There are
over three million EU citizens living in the UK and
about a million British citizens living elsewhere in
the EU. They face an uncertain future. Where do your
candidates stand on the future of EU citizens in the UK
and reciprocal rights for UK citizens in the EU? As our
formal leaving of the EU approaches, new trade deals will
be negotiated. It is important that in them human and
workers’ rights, the environment, and the development
of the world’s poorest countries are taken into account.
What issues do your candidates think should be the top
priority when forming new international partnerships?
is currently committed to resettling at least 20,000 of
the most vulnerable Syrian refugees by 2020. Will your
candidates work to ensure that this commitment is
kept and options to expand the scheme are considered?
Will they promote a welcoming society and stand
against hate crime?
FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF Across
the world millions of people are persecuted because of
their beliefs. How do your candidates intend to promote
freedom of religion or belief for all, and what steps could
be taken as a priority in UK foreign policy to protect
religious minorities, including Christian minorities?
HELPING THE WORLD’S POOREST Aid
provided by the UK saves lives and helps people out
of poverty. Will your candidates commit to protecting
and enhancing the international development budget?
CARING FOR THE VULNERABLE There
are many in our communities who are financially
vulnerable and struggle to make ends meet or in need
of decent housing. Where do your candidates stand on
ISSUES ON FAMILY AND LIFE In 2015 helping the poorest, in terms of health, social care and
Parliament voted overwhelmingly to protect society’s housing? How will they support people with mental
most vulnerable people, by preventing the legalisation health problems? How will they finance these services?
of assisted dying. Will your candidates uphold this
decision? Will they support measures to promote the EDUCATION Catholic schools make a positive
intrinsic value of life at every stage? The family is at contribution to society, serving over 845,000 children
the heart of the health and well-being of society, above in England and Wales. Will your candidates support
all the well-being of children. What policies do your parental choice for the education of their children?
candidates propose for the flourishing of family life?
Will they support Catholic schools as part of this
choice for faith-based education?
CRIMINAL JUSTICE In a civilised society prisons
should be places of redemption and rehabilitation. Our MODERN SLAVERY Modern slavery is a gross
prison system faces unprecedented levels of violence violation of human dignity affecting at least 14,000
and suicide. Do your candidates support urgent prison people in the UK and millions more around the world.
reform and better resourcing?
How will your candidate give political support to the
fight against modern slavery and better assistance for
IMIGRATION The UK has long been a place of its victims? There are many other issues you will be
welcome for people from other countries. There needs considering. In all of them please bear in mind not
to be a clear policy on migration, which works for the only their impact on you and your family but also their
economy and is respectful of the unity of marriage and impact on our wider world. The UK has a long and
family life. How will your candidates ensure that we worthy tradition of generosity and justice. The values
operate a fair migration system for people wanting to contained in these questions are fundamental to our
enter and work in the UK?
way of l ife and the good of our society.