MP gets a debate on faith

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard is to voice concerns in Parliament next week about rising levels of what he calls "Christianophobia" and the trend of taking Christ out of Christmas.

The Tory MP has won time for a 90-minute Commons debate.

He said this afternoon: "The roots of Christianity in Britain go back to the first century. Yet today there appears to be a reluctance by some public bodies and institutions to recognise our nation's Christian heritage and history.

"My debate will seek to encourage greater community cohesion and inter-faith understanding by recognising the many benefits the Christian faith has brought to Britain.

"They include benefits to science, the arts, music, architecture, philosophy, and philanthropy, down the centuries.

"Such benefits are to be celebrated not scorned or ridiculed."

The Shropshire MP said that he would also be seeking to "slay the fashionable dragon of political correctness", which, he said, amounted to "an assault on the nation's Christmas traditions".