Archbishop's interview on BBC Radio 4 Sunday Programme

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The number of voters and the needs of older people were the main topics under discussion when the Archbishop spoke to the Sunday Programme.

In view of the Archbishop's recent comments on the voting scandal, his encouragement to people to vote and his joint letter with the Archbishop of Canterbury, he was invited onto the programme to discuss what he would like to see in a coalition Government and what values he thought were important.

During the interview, the Archbishop said that he was glad that the turnout was higher than in previous years but wished that it had increased to the levels in Australia (around 95%). He commented on the fact that more younger people voted, particularly for the first time, and said this was "very encouraging, very encouraging indeed."

When asked to compare the checklist that he and the Archbishop of Canterbury had issued against the list of priorities that has been seen from the new coalition Government - he was asked if he was pleased.  He answered "I am not really encouraged about older people because I think that the change in demography and the impact of the financial crisis on pensions means that we can't avoid the concern and well-being of older people. Also, I'm concerned about the well-being of children.

"I am one of those who says that at the heart of our society is a God who values truth, peacefulness, justice, and compassion and actually demands that we resist anything that undermines this.

"So, in this new group of things that the Government has brought out - I would like to know whether we are going to be told the truth in all areas, honestly and fairly because if that doesn't happen it undermines Government to no end."

When the Archbishop was asked about the family, he said that this was an area that we needed to pay great attention to.  "If children are raised in homes where there isn't the kind of level of support and encouragement, then we end up with a future adult population which completely distances itself from civic life."

In practical terms, the Archbishop felt that there wasn't anything wrong with his taxes being used to help young families that are struggling especially as his children are now grown up.

He spoke briefly about the reform of the House of Lords and said that this House actually revises the legislation far better because it has no or almost no political leaning.  He ended by reminding listeners that "the Governance of Britain is the Queen, in Parliament under God and the Government is Her Government and the opposition is Her opposition. Often, they forget, they think it is either Tory or Labour or Lib Dem."

You can listen again to the interview for a limited time at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00sb9gk/b00sb9b2/Sunday_16_05_2010/ 

Interview starts at 37:48.