News Release 10.3.15
Bradford Cathedral is to host a special event next Monday 16th March, ‘People InSpired’, at which people from all communities across Bradford are being invited to discuss the issues facing the local area ahead of the General Election.
Among those taking part in the event at 7pm on Monday 16 March will be the Bishop of Bradford, Rt Revd Toby Howarth and the Dean of Bradford, the Very Revd Jerry Lepine, who will chair the round table discussions.
The Dean commented, “This is a great opportunity for local people to get involved in setting the issues agenda for the general election in this area, and I hope it will help to encourage people to re-engage with politics and to realise the importance of voting.”
In the run up to the general election, the Cathedral is taking part in People InSpired, a national initiative to encourage people to engage with politics and to highlight issues which affect their lives. Anyone who lives, works or is involved with voluntary organisations in Bradford is invited to take part in this unique opportunity to set the agenda for the general election in this community.
“The evening will take the form of round-table discussions to identify the local issues which matter to people, and the way in which people would like politicians to engage with local communities to deal with those issues”, said one of the organisers, the Revd Cat Thatcher.
The outcomes from this meeting will contribute towards a national report, which is being produced by the Association of English Cathedrals and the Theos Think Tank, and will be presented to national decision-makers after May’s election.
The event is free and all who live or work in Bradford are welcome to attend but pre booking is essential to ensure your place. Please call the Cathedral Office on 01274 777720 to book your place.
Hustings
The outcomes will also be fed into a Hustings event for the Bradford West constituency, to take place at Bradford Cathedral on Sunday 12th April at 6.30 pm, at which the candidates from the Conservative, Green, Labour, Lib Dem, Respect and UKIP parties will be present. The candidates will be asked specifically to respond to the issues raised by local people at the first meeting.
Set in the light of the recent Pastoral Letter from the House of Bishops, this event is organised in partnership with the Association of English Cathedrals, the Theos Think Tank and Cathedrals Innovation Centre. The agenda for the evening has been designed in partnership with public engagement specialists, Involve.
Background information:
The Pastoral Letter from the House of Bishops to the people and parishes of the Church of England, can be read here https://churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2015/02/house-of-bishops%27-pastoral-letter-on-the-2015-general-election.aspx