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The coalition government wants to promote the role of faith in British society, the Tory party chairman has stated, insisting that the coalition “does God,” on the eve of the Pope’s visit.

In a speech to Church of England bishops in Oxford, Lady Warsi, the Conservative chair said the last government was "profoundly wrong" because it appeared to view religion as "a rather quaint relic of our pre-industrial history". Adding that, "they were too suspicious of faith's potential for contributing to society – behind every faith-based charity; they sensed the whiff of conversion and exclusivity.

"And because of these prejudices they didn't create policies to unleash the positive power of faith in our society."

 That environment had encouraged the 'rise of a new kind of intellectual, who dines out on free-flowing media and sustains a vocabulary of secularist intolerance'. She went on to say 'The fact is that our world is more religious than ever.

'Faith is here to stay. It is part of the fabric of human experience. And in Britain faith is very much alive and kicking.'

While Labour acted as if faith was confined to “oddities, foreigners and minorities”, the new government was “comfortable” with it, according Warsi.

Baron Warsi referred to a comment by by Tony Blair's former spin doctor Alastair Campbell that the Labour government did not “do God” to show how the coalition understands faith groups. "If anyone suggests that this government does not understand, does not appreciate, does not defend people of faith, dare I even say does not 'do God', then I hope my schedule this week will go some way to banishing that myth," Warsi said, pointing out she had celebrated the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, dined with the chief rabbi, and is due to meet the pope on Friday.

She was persistent that faith groups played a highly vital role in David Cameron's vision of a 'Big Society', and would have more opportunity to set up schools and carry out public services.

 A Government was needed that 'understands faith, which is comfortable with faith, and which when necessary, is prepared to speak out about issues of faith', Lady Warsi said.

 'When you think about it, it's incredible that many people of faith give up their evenings to work as street pastors making sure that young men are less at risk of knife crime and young women less likely to run into trouble after a night out.

'Under our plans, you will have more power, more responsibility, and more choice over how to get involved in your communities and over how to apply your skills.'

 She went on: 'I don't just want to say to you that you have a lot to contribute to building the Big Society.

'I want to tell you that for me you are at the heart of society already and key to its future, and that this government will be on your side.'

 

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