Churches play part in trying to get electorate out to vote

Holy Trinity Church in Micklegate, York, Beverley Minster and Cottingham Methodist Church are all holding hustings to allow candidates of all parties to engage with local communities.

Holy Trinity is hosting an open meeting for parliamentary candidates from York Central on Monday April 26 at 7.15pm.

The Ven. Richard Seed, Archdeacon of York, who helped to organise the meeting, said: "So far, we've had confirmed support from the Liberal Democrat, UKIP, Green, Conservative, BNP and Monster Raving Loony candidates, and I hope that the Labour candidate will join us as well."

He underlined that because all the candidates could come bar one it would not be a party political evening but a platform for a variety of candidates so people can make up their minds.

"Also the church has a responsibility to make sure people realise in a democratic society it is important to exercise that democratic right to vote," he added

"All the countries who don't have a democratic vote want it, and here we take it for granted. Often the church is the largest building in most communities and normally neutral territory, which helps quiet things down if people get carried away.

"I think that the church has a vital role to play in these elections, and one of the most important ways in which we can serve our community at this time is to offer our church buildings to hold hustings. It's important that people vote... and help to shape our community and our country."

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland has issued guidelines at www.ctbi.org.uk on organising such events.

Hustings will take place at Beverley Minster on April 26 for Beverley and Holderness Candidates.

For Haltemprice and Howden political hopefuls, Cottingham Churches Together are making Cottingham Methodist church available on May 2.