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Scottish Election Briefing 2011 Contents Scottish Election Briefing 2011 Contents 3 Introduction 9 Scottish National Party 13 Scottish Labour 18 Scottish Conservatives 22 Scottish Liberal Democrats 26 Scottish Green Party 27 UK Independence Party 28 Christian Peoples Alliance 29 Scottish Christian Party 30 Legislation summary: Scottish Parliament 2007-2011 35 References 38 Notes Copyright The Christian Institute 2011 Printed in April 2011 Published by The Christian Institute Wilberforce House, 4 Park Road, Gosforth Business Park Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 8DG All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of The Christian Institute. The Christian Institute is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England as a charity whose main object is “the furtherance and promotion of the Christian Religion in the United Kingdom and elsewhere”. Company No. 263 4440; Charity No. 100 4774. A charity registered in Scotland. Charity No. SC039220. 2 Introduction Elections for the Scottish Parliament will take – the SNP, Labour, the Conservatives and the place on 5 May. As Christian citizens we should Liberal Democrats. There are other parties think carefully about how to vote. standing in the Scottish Parliament elections; The Christian Institute is a registered charity we have also included some of the known and cannot endorse any political party or policies of the Scottish Green Party and UKIP, candidate in elections. We cannot tell you who parties which have representation at national to vote for. That is a matter for you. What we or European level. Many Christians ask us about can do is provide you with factual information the policies of the Christian Peoples Alliance about the policies of the political parties and the Scottish Christian Party. These have also and key background information on recent been included. Space and time constraints have legislation. This is set out in this Scottish Election not permitted us to cover other parties fielding Briefing. candidates. To help Christians find out the views of the In a collapsing culture, public policy is candidates standing in their constituencies we increasingly affected by secular values. The have provided Questions for Candidates in the main political parties are by no means immune centre of this briefing. to this. All four main parties have policy positions with which biblical Christians strongly disagree, such as the endorsement of civil Further copies of the Scottish Election partnerships. Briefing are available on our website In casting a vote Christians are not christian.org.uk/scottishelection and necessarily endorsing every item of policy of from our office on request – telephone the party they vote for. They are exercising 0191 281 5664. judgment which can often boil down to deciding what is the least worst option. Certain parties have an overriding central Election 2011 principle. For example, the SNP holds that Scotland should be independent from the rest Since its inception The Christian Institute has of the UK and UKIP believes that the UK should promoted the Christian faith in the public leave the European Union. Of course, Christians square in six main areas – marriage and the who agree with the central principle can vote family, medical ethics, education, religious for these parties in good conscience. liberty in the UK, matters of public morality, and But when it comes to the BNP the situation the constitution. could not be more different. It seems to Within these broad areas, this Scottish us that the central principles of that party Election Briefing highlights some of the policies enshrine beliefs which completely contradict of the four main political parties at Holyrood the Christian faith.1 This is demonstrated, for 3 example, by their longstanding ‘whites only’ mocked. A man reaps what he sows (Galatians membership policy, which was only changed 6:7). A nation will never be blessed by breaking following court action. God’s laws. Simon Darby, the BNP’s National Media spokesman, has previously strongly criticised Christian citizenship senior members of Christian denominations (including bishops), saying that by speaking out The state is a means of God’s ‘common grace’. against the BNP they are attempting to “subvert The Bible is very clear that the governing the democratic process” and writing that he authorities act on God’s behalf to restrain would “not be surprised to see some of these evil (see Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2). This is for weak and deluded wretches actually convert to the good of all people in this world – not just Islam”.2 Christians. Our Scottish Election Briefing therefore does The Christian has dual citizenship: of not consider the policies of the BNP. heaven (Philippians 3:20); and of an earthly This Scottish Election Briefing covers many nation (usually that in which he was born). issues where important Christian principles The Christian’s duty is to obey the governing are at stake. There are many other issues about authorities, except where they forbid what which Christians show a particular concern God requires, or require what God forbids (Acts and where much material is available (like the 5:29). It is the Christian’s heavenly citizenship Developing World), but we know that many are which commands the ultimate loyalty. concerned with issues such as those covered by As well as duties, being a citizen gives us this briefing. certain rights. The Apostle Paul was prepared We have to have laws to restrain evil and both to use and not to use his rights as a Roman policies to commend what is good (1 Peter Citizen depending on which option most 2:13-14), but the Government is not responsible benefited the gospel cause (Acts 16:37-39; for everything. Indeed if there is to be freedom, 21:39; 22:25-29; 25:10-12). it must not be. Many Christians are gravely In 21st Century Britain, we live in what is concerned about legislative proposals which historically a relatively unusual situation – we intrude into ordinary family life, evangelism and live in a democracy. Unique responsibilities the running of the local church. and privileges flow from living in a democracy. As we pointed out in our 2007 Scottish One is that we have the right to vote. Surely Election Briefing, it is important to say that Christians should use this privilege. society is more than the state. Society is made Christians in Scotland live in a collapsing up of families and many institutions and culture in which God’s moral law is openly organisations between the state and the citizen. flouted. The situation is no different from the Government by itself cannot solve all our rest of Britain. Things will not get better unless problems or even come remotely close. this is addressed. The only lasting and real The issues we have highlighted are those solution to the problem of man’s sin is uniquely where we believe the Bible is clear. They tend provided in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus to be issues where biblical principles, and in Christ. The Gospel denies that there can ever particular the Ten Commandments, directly be political salvation in this life. Nevertheless, apply. We cannot break God’s law without there we are to pray that our authorities would being consequences – to a degree in this life, provide freedom for the Gospel and freedom and fully in the life to come. God cannot be for Christians to live “peaceful and quiet lives 4 in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). taught in the Commandments. For example, We are to pray that the governing authorities a vote for euthanasia is a vote to break the 6th will fulfil their God-given mandate and govern Commandment (Exodus 20:13). Similarly it is a according to God’s moral law (Romans 13:1-7 breach of the 7th Commandment (Exodus 20:14) and 1 Peter 2:13-14). The Scottish Parliamentary to promote homosexuality to young people in Elections provide an opportunity for Christians schools or to equate homosexual unions with to speak out and play their part. marriage. These are not matters of political opinion, but straightforward issues of right or Biblical priorities wrong. The Bible gives a clear basis for knowing right Same-sex marriage from wrong. God’s moral law is laid down for everyone – not just for Christians. Of the Ten Commandments, both the 5th and Jesus criticised the Pharisees and told them the 7th uphold and protect marriage (Exodus “you have neglected the more important 20:12, 14). Jesus Christ was crystal clear that matters of the law – justice, mercy and marriage is between a man and a woman faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23). This included (Matthew 19:1-6). Christians in Scotland are “setting aside the commands of God” by particularly alarmed at moves to redefine neglecting their parents (when they needed marriage in Scots law to allow homosexuals to financial support) in order to observe a man- get married. In March 2011 the Equality and made tradition (Mark 7:9-12). For Jesus, and for Human Rights Commission called on the next us, it is God’s commands which set out what Scottish Government to legalise same-sex constitutes justice, mercy and faithfulness. marriage.3 It is clear that homosexual activists Whilst we are obligated to obey God in are clamouring for the revolutionary change, everything, certain parts of the moral law are which would abolish the traditional definition absolutely foundational and fundamental. That of marriage and impose a radical new definition is why God has been pleased to give us the Ten on the whole of society.
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