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Several Christian organisations have expressed strong dismay over Reform UK’s decision to hold a press conference at Church House, the Church of England’s headquarters. The groups voiced their shock that a political party with immigration policies conflicting with church teachings was permitted to use this venue. They argued the event suggested an inappropriate endorsement by the Church of England of Reform UK’s stance.
Last week, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, introduced his new leadership team in the Assembly Hall at Church House in Westminster. The announcement triggered a wave of criticism, with some Christian groups condemning the choice of location. In response, Reform UK dismissed these objections as “little more than a cheap political stunt.” Church House itself clarified that it operates commercially and is not formally part of the Church of England, with a lettings policy that prohibits bookings from organisations promoting racial prejudice.
Among the most vocal critics were Christians for a Welcoming Britain, who described themselves as “outraged” by the decision to allow Reform UK to use the venue. They highlighted concerns that holding the event in a space recently home to the Church of England’s General Synod created the false impression of Church endorsement for what they viewed as divisive and hostile political rhetoric. Other political parties, including the Conservatives and Labour, have historically used Church House, as has Reform UK on previous occasions; it was this recent event’s timing and location, however, that sparked controversy.
The objections were further formalised in a letter sent to Church House by Reverend Keith Brindle, a Church of England priest and coordinator of Christians Against the Far Right. He criticized the use of the venue as providing “a veneer of spiritual legitimacy” for anti-migrant and anti-Muslim politics, arguing that the Church should serve as “a sanctuary for the displaced, not a platform for their expulsion.” At the conference, Zia Yusuf was unveiled as the lead on home affairs for Reform UK, with a focus on reducing both legal and illegal immigration. The party also announced intentions to establish a “UK Deportation Command,” aimed at conducting mass deportations of illegal migrants.
This controversy echoes previous debates over Church House’s role as a venue. In 2020, it hosted boxing events sponsored by a gambling company, provoking criticism due to concerns about promoting gambling addiction. Campaigners have also objected to the Royal United Services Institute’s Land Warfare Conference being held there. Church House has maintained that it accepts bookings complying with its ethical lettings policy, which denies use to groups whose views oppose Church of England teachings, including those promoting racial prejudice.
In reply to the criticism, a spokesperson for Reform UK told the BBC that opposition to the event was disconnected from the concerns of the British public. They stated, “Poll after poll shows immigration is a top issue for voters. Attempting to shut down debate on a topic close to voters’ hearts is both un-Christian and authoritarian.” This dispute highlights continuing tensions over the use of religious venues for politically charged events and the boundaries of church involvement in public discourse
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