Not so recent political interventions by The Church!

Political interventions by Archbishops are nothing new. Rowan Williams criticised the Labour Government of which I was a member. He was outspoken about the Iraq war and the Equality Bill. His predecessors, George Carey and Robert Runcie, were not afraid to speak out against governments whilst they were in Lambeth Palace. The modern welfare state — perhaps Labour’s greatest achievement—owes much to the efforts of wartime Archbishop William Temple. As leader of a worldwide church, Justin Welby is appointed to speak up for those who cannot speak themselves. He is right to speak out.

Stephen Timms

MP for East Ham and Labour Party Faith Envoy Chair of Christians on the Left 2012 - 2016