An investigation into the role faith plays in political decision making, through the eyes of Christians in Parliament All-Party Group members

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Research Questions

3. Methodology

4. Literature Review

5. Data Analysis

5.1 Christians in Parliament group

5.2 When faith and politics combine

5.3 Future of faith and politics

6. Further Analysis

7. Conclusion

8. Bibliography

9. Appendices

Research Objectives and Topics

This research paper aims to explore the extent to which Christian faith influences the political decision-making processes of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are members of the Christians in Parliament All-Party Group.

• The influence of personal faith on political decision-making.
• The role and impact of the Christians in Parliament (CiP) group.
• The challenges of reconciling Christian beliefs with political duties.
• The future of the relationship between religion and British politics.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: Provides the research context by highlighting the debate over the role of faith in British politics and introduces the seven Christian MPs who participated in the study.

Research Questions: Outlines the primary inquiries regarding the function of the Christians in Parliament group and the compatibility of faith and politics.

Methodology: Details the use of elite semi-structured interviews with seven MPs and justifies the qualitative approach to capturing personal and professional experiences.

Literature Review: Examines historical and contemporary perspectives on the influence of faith in British society and the limited existing academic research on Christian MPs.

Data Analysis: Presents and discusses the interview findings, categorized into the nature of the CiP group, the personal reconciliation of faith and politics, and future prospects.

Further Analysis: Synthesizes the core themes extracted from the interviews, focusing on internal versus external pressures and the perceived role of MPs.

Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, confirming that faith significantly influences the decision-making of the interviewed MPs, and suggests directions for future research.

Keywords

Christianity, Members of Parliament, British Politics, Faith, Christians in Parliament, Political Decision-making, Religion, All-Party Group, Public Policy, Secularization, Ethics, Conscience, Church of England, Political Representation, Social Reform

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The research investigates the influence of Christian faith on the political decision-making processes of MPs who are members of the Christians in Parliament All-Party Group.

What are the primary thematic areas covered?

The study examines the role of the CiP group, the personal challenges of reconciling faith with political mandates, and the future prospects of religion in British political discourse.

What is the main goal of the dissertation?

The objective is to understand how these specific MPs manage their religious identity alongside their professional responsibilities as politicians in a secularized society.

Which methodology was employed for this research?

The researcher conducted elite semi-structured interviews with seven MPs from the three major UK political parties to gather qualitative primary data.

What content is discussed in the main analysis?

The main body analyzes the nature of the CiP group, personal anecdotes regarding conflict between faith and party politics, and the long-term role of the Church in Britain.

Which key terms characterize this study?

Key terms include Christianity, British Politics, Faith, Political Decision-making, Secularization, and Parliamentary Representation.

How does the CiP group function according to the interviewees?

Interviewees generally described it as a "fellowship group" providing support and networking opportunities, rather than a strategic lobbying body for specific policy changes.

How do the participants handle conflicts between faith and party politics?

The participants emphasize the importance of "conscience votes" and rely on their internal religious moral framework, even when it diverges from party lines or popular opinion.