Church of England bishops have called for those on all sides of the Brexit debate – both in and outside of Parliament – to show “respect” and to “listen”, saying that the use of language in recent days has been “unacceptable”.
In a statement issued last Friday, the joint statement of the church’s College of Bishops also called upon “politicians to adhere rigorously to the rule of law and on all to respect and uphold the impartiality of the courts and our judiciary”.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks at the parliament, which reconvenes after the UK Supreme Court ruled that his suspension of the parliament was unlawful, in London, Britain, on 25th September in this screen grab taken from video. PICTURE: Parliament TV via Reuters
“In the last few days, the use of language, both in debates and outside Parliament, has been unacceptable,” the statement reads. “We should speak to others with respect. And we should also listen. We should do this especially with the poor, with the marginalised, and with those whose voices are often not heard in our national conversation. We should not denigrate, patronise or ignore the honest views of fellow citizens, but seek to respect their opinions, their participation in society, and their votes.”
The bishops note that the teachings of Jesus Christ “call for us to be generous and humble servants; virtues which are for all leaders, whatever their faith”.
“It is easy to descend into division and abuse – climbing out and finding unity again takes far longer,” the statement reads. “Further entrenching our divisions, whether from uncertainty or from partisanship, is not worthy of our country nor the leadership we now need. We are a body that understands from our own experience the dangers of division. It is our view and most solemn warning that we must find better ways of acting.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last Thursday that tempers needed to calm following a vitriolic session in parliament, after critics accused him of using language that had led to threats and abuse against his opponents.
Parliament reached boiling point on Wednesday when Johnson and his opponents engaged in hours of furious argument over Britain’s departure from the European Union. Lawmakers hurled allegations of betrayal and abuse of power across the chamber.
The anger had become so intense that the husband of a lawmaker murdered days before the 2016 EU membership referendum said it could encourage violence unless politicians toned down their rhetoric.
“We do need to bring people together and get this thing done,” Johnson told BBC TV, declining to apologise for his language. “Tempers need to calm down and people need to come together because it is only by getting Brexit done that you will actually lance the boil of the current anxiety.”
The ferocity of the Brexit debate has shocked allies of a country that has prided itself on being a confident – and mostly tolerant – pillar of Western economic and political stability.
However, three years since Britons voted to leave the European Union, the outcome remains mired in uncertainty with supporters on both sides of the debate becoming increasingly entrenched.
– with Reuters
