Can Tories be Christians?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.TONY BLAIR, the Labour leader, has provoked angry criticism over comments which imply that Conservatism and Christianity are incompatible, writes Stephen Castle.
The row erupted over an article in which the Opposition leader said his view of Christian values led him to oppose the narrow self-interest represented by Conservatism - "particularly its modern, more right-wing form".
David Wilshire, a Conservative MP and convenor of the Methodist Fellowship at the House of Commons, said he was "very offended" by Mr Blair's remarks, which were "deeply hurtful" to many Christians. The Labour leader was "wearing God on his sleeve".
In today's Sunday Telegraph Mr Blair writes that he is not pretending to be any better or less selfish than anyone else, or saying that Christians could only vote Labour. "But Tories, I think, have too selfish a definition of self-interest," he adds.
"They fail to look beyond to the community. That is the essential reason why I am on the left rather than the right."
Labour sources played down the comments, stressing that Mr Blair had not said Christians should be Labour supporters. Tories claimed that Mr Blair had clearly suggested as much.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments