THE Bishop of Bath and Wells is calling on people in Somerset to make sure they vote in the General Election on Thursday, May 7.

The Rt Rev Peter Hancock said politics and the life of Christians cannot be separated, which is why he always uses his vote.

He was speaking after a letter from the House of Bishops called for politicians to come up with “a fresh moral vision of the kind of country we want to be”, while encouraging Church members to engage in the political process.

Bishop Peter said: “Our hope is to encourage Church members - and indeed others - to engage in debate and discussion about decisions and issues which affect us all.

“The Church’s role in national life is clear. It seeks to remain politically neutral, whilst at the same time calling on its members to play a full part in the political life of the nation and to support politicians and the government with their prayers.”

He added that “politics and the life of the Christian disciple cannot be separated”.

“As well as encouraging people to engage thoughtfully and prayerfully with this debate, I hope that people will also ensure that they use their vote when the election comes,” said Bishop Peter.

“I always have and always will and trust that everyone does the same.”

He said he agrees with the Bishops’ letter outlining that the only way to restore faith in politicians and the political process is to create “a new politics that engages at both a deeper, more local level within a wider, broader vision for the country as a whole”.

It does not advocate support for any one political party, but encourages those in the Church to seek commitments from political candidates to building a society of common bonds over individual consumerism.