According to a Guardian editorial a few months ago, before the election, it is. As he seeks organisations to work with in his mission of national renewal, the new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is very aware of what faith groups have to offer and has praised their role in countering what he called the “‘in-it-for-yourself’ culture of the Conservatives”.
This is a reasonable direction for a new government to take, given the relationships between local authorities and religious groups which were forged during both the pandemic and the subsequent cost of living crisis, when churches, mosques and other religious organisations became key partners of local government, in easing hardship and offering social networks of support.
The Prime Minister also recognises that the Labour Party owes a huge debt to Christianity – shaped as it was as much by Methodism as Marxism!
Read the full story here.
Sir Keir himself has said that he doesn´t have a personal faith and nor does he believe in God – although his wife is Jewish and he has spoken of the importance to their family of observing the sabbath. But, as reported in the Church Tines this week, a number of new government ministers, including some in key roles, are practising members of faith communities. See here.