Joint Statement from the Archbishop of York and Archbishop of Canterbury

"The European Parliamentary and local elections on June 4th will take place at a time of extraordinary turbulence in our democratic system.  It is a time for great vigilance over how to exercise our democratic right to vote.

"The temptation to stay away or register a protest vote in order to send a negative signal to the parties represented at Westminster will be strong. In our view, however, it would be tragic if the understandable sense of anger and disillusionment with some MPs over recent revelations led voters to shun the ballot box.

"Those whom we elect to local councils and the European Parliament will represent us and our collective interests for many years to come.  It is crucial to elect those who wish to uphold the democratic values and who wish to work for the common good in a spirit of public service  which urgently needs to be reaffirmed in these difficult days. 

"There are those who would exploit the present situation to advance views that are the very opposite of the values of justice, compassion and human dignity are rooted in our Christian heritage.

"Christians have been deeply disturbed by the conscious adoption by the BNP  of the language of our faith when the effect of those policies is not to promote those values but  to foster fear and division within communities, especially between people of different faiths or racial background. 

"This is not a moment for voting in favour of any political party whose core ideology is about sowing division in our communities and hostility on grounds of race, creed or colour; it is an opportunity for renewing the vision of a community united by mutual respect, high ethical standards and the pursuit of justice and peace.

"We hope that electors will use their vote on June 4^th  to renew the vision of a community united by the common good, public service and the pursuit of justice."

Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York