Short report and Photo Gallery

Scottish Christian Party's press conference

in

Inverness

on

Friday, 20 April 2007

The Highland and Islands SCP candidates

Rev. George Hargreaves, the leader of the Scottish Christian Party addressed an SCP press conference in an Inverness hotel this week.

The conference gave an opportunity to press and TV journalists to pose questions to a panel made up of the party's candidates in the forthcoming Scottish elections.

While it is unlikely that many media days begin this way, Dr. Donald Boyd, the SCP Campaign Manager for Highland opened the meeting by inviting (Rev.) Sandy Shaw to pray for the proceedings.

Dr. Boyd and Rev. Shaw (Nairn) were part of the grouping of SCP candidate; including Mr. Murdo Murray (Stornoway), the lead candidate for the Highlands and Islands region. The other candidates being Mr. Tom Forrest (Kinlochewe), Mr. Les Turner and Mr. Tom Morrow (both Inverness).

Following a reading from the Bible, Mr. Hargreaves set out the rationale and broad sweep of the SCP's manifesto; entitled "Another Approach; restoring the Land of the Book". The panel of candidates then fielded questions from the floor - covering elements of SCP policy relating to responses to crime and imprisonment, social welfare, health and energy.

Mr. Murray said that while he was grateful that other Christians endeavoured to bring their faith into the mainstream political parties, he went on to say that any politician in a secular party was - on key issues - obliged to follow the party line; whereas the SCP's party line is Christian.

The SCP are not offering candidates in the local constituencies, but are rather looking for support in the regional seats. However, voters at the forthcoming elections will be faced with a ballot papers carrying two parties bearing the name "Christian" in their respective titles.
The Christian Peoples Alliance is also fielding candidates for the Scottish Parliament; and the lead candidate in the Glasgow are is a Muslim.
The SCP logo is a cross; and George Hargreaves calls on all voters to "put your cross beside the Cross".

Conference Picture Gallery

Prior to the formal proceedings with the media, those arriving for the press conference enjoyed an informal session over coffee. And further pictures of both of these activities are available by <clicking here>.