Bognor Churches organise election hustings for prospective MPs

L to R: Alison Griffiths, Clare Walsh, Carol Birch, Henry Jones. Image: Bognor Catholic Parish

West Sussex church communities are encouraging voters of all faiths and none to have their voices heard this July.

Churches Together Bognor held an Election Hustings at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Bognor Regis on Tuesday evening a>ended by potential Bognor Regis and Littlehampton Constituency MPs; Carol Birch (Green Party), Sandra Daniells (Reform UK), Alison Griffiths (Conservative), Henry Jones (Liberal Democrat), David Kurten (Heritage Party) and Clare Walsh (Labour).

More than two billion people will go to the polls this year, with elections taking place in 50 countries across the world. With UK party manifestos now issued and the electoon campaign well underway, Bognor's Hustings organised by Ben Leney from King's Gate Church, Revd Jo King from Holy Cross in North Bersted, and Fr Chris Bergin from Our Lady of Sorrows, offered an important opportunity for people across the local community to scrutinise candidates from a range of political parties asking questions about the issues that matter most to them.

Reflecting after the Hustings, Fr Chris Bergin said: "The evening allowed attendees to reflect on local and national issues in the light of the Gospel and hear the views of those who aspire to represent them. It was incredibly valuable to have the opportunity to bring our questions and concerns into the public square, and to hear from prospective MPs from across the political spectrum."

The Revd Jo King added, "It is so important to have an opportunity to meet our local candidates in person and hear about their passions and meet the person behind the slogans, going beyond the soundbite to the heart of local issues."

UK Polling Stations will be open 7am to 10pm on Thursday 4 July with Catholic organisations and charities The Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), CAFOD, the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), and The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) offering a range of resources encouraging faith communities to have their voices heard. To find out more about voting this summer - including what voter ID to bring with you, visit the Government website: www.gov.uk/how-to-vote.

LINKS

Diocese of Arundel & Brighton: www.abdiocese.org.uk
Bognor Churches Together (BCT) is a fellowship of churches in Bognor Regis and its surrounding villages. Find out more here: www.bognorchurchestogether.wordpress.com/our-partnership-statement/

Bognor Catholic Parish: www.bognorcatholicparish.co.uk
Holy Cross: www.holycrossnorthbersted.org.uk
King's Gate Church: www.thekingsgatechurch.org.uk/visit-us