Danny Webster
Danny joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2008 and has held a range of roles in the advocacy team. He currently leads the advocacy team's work across the UK including public policy work an engagement with the parliaments and assemblies, and respective governments. Before working for the Evangelical Alliance, Danny, who has degrees in politics and political philosophy, worked in parliament for an MP. Danny is passionate about encouraging Christians to integrate their faith with all areas of their life, especially when it comes to helping them take on leadership outside the church, and helped initiate the Evangelical Alliance's Public Leadership programme. He frequently provides comment on current political issues, both in Evangelical Alliance publications and to the press.
Assisted dying law – what comes next?
2 December 2024By 330 votes to 275, following less than five hours of debate, the vote split traditional party divisions to back the proposed bill to permit assisted dying. It was notable that as the vote tally was read out in the chamber of the House of Commons there was not the customary cheering when votes are won, but instead a sombre silence that reflected the gravity of the decision being taken. This does not mean it has become law, yet, but it indicates an uphill struggle in the months ahead that we at…
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More than 1200 Christian leaders join letter to MPs opposing assisted dying plans
21 November 2024Ahead of parliament debating a law to introduce assisted dying, more than 1200 church and Christian leaders have signed a letter opposing plans. The Evangelical Alliance, along with member organisations; CARE and the Christian Medical Fellowship, have backed the letter. It is also signed by many others including the leaders of the Christian Institute, Christian Concern, and national leaders from a wide range of networks and denominations.
Read more... What’s wrong with a bill seeking to introduce assisted suicide?
12 November 2024While the bill title does not reference assisted suicide, and campaigners prefer to talk about assisted dying, the detail of the legislation betrays that. This is about introducing assisted suicide – it amends the Suicide Act (1961) to allow circumstances where it is permitted to assist someone to commit suicide. Ahead of the publication of the bill, the MP, Ms Leadbeater, talked of it having the most “rigorous safeguards of anywhere in the world”, others have talked about it being the most…
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Forbes: 'Christians should have confidence to get involved' to make a difference for the future of Scotland
17 October 2024She said: “We know the big changes that have been delivered over generations in this country because of the work of Christians in the country. And we have a choice right now as to whether that will continue to be the case. And I want to be part of it, and I hope you do too.” The deputy first minister also said: “I often talk to people and there’s an element of fear, there’s an element of worry, there are questions of whether we should get involved or not, and my response is to have that…
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What is the role of faith in a Labour government?
25 September 2024As a visitor to the conference, I came away with three main reflections, and below I set out some brief observations. Everyone wants their voice heard Firstly, it was apparent to everyone that lots of people want to influence the direction of the government. This was the highest ever attendance at a Labour conference, bolstered by the significant number of new MPs, their staff, and many who had been involved in campaigns earlier in the year. However, the bulk of the fresh attendees were there…
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Making sense of the King's speech
24 July 2024Following the election victory on 4 July, and the appointment of the government, the bills that are announced in the speech and in particular those which are first introduced into parliament help us to understand the direction and focus of the government. This analysis will consider both the overall approach of this government and what we can expect in the coming years, and then also the specific areas of interest that the Evangelical Alliance will be focusing on. The state opening of…
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How do I decide who to vote for?
26 June 2024Here are six different ways that can help you decide, which you may already be thinking about in the final days of this election campaign. 1. Vote for the party policy platform This is possibly the most obvious way, and at least in theory the best place to start. Look at what each party is proposing to do through their manifestos and other statements and decide which set of proposals is the closest to how you think the country should be run in the years ahead. 2. Vote for the leader who will…
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How would Jesus vote?
23 May 2024Three quarters thought He would protest against corruption and He would befriend politicians of all parties, although that leaves nearly a quarter who seemingly thought there were some politicians He wouldn’t befriend. The truth is that there are no easy answers for what being a follower of Jesus means as we consider how we engage in politics. What we do know is that God cares about our world, and we are called to play a part. Colossians 1:20 says God is reconciling all things to Himself –…
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Conversion therapy vote could criminalise church teaching and discipleship
28 February 2024A private member’s bill aiming to ban conversion therapy is being debated on 1 March, and an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill proposes very similar changes to be made to the law and is likely to be debated at some point during March. Both the bill and the amendment aim to outlaw a wide range of activities that they class as conversion practices. The proposed amendment creates an offence if someone offers, administers, or takes payment for conversion practices, or for materials to be used…
Read more... Speaking up in public life in 2024: we need your voice
24 January 2024For the Evangelical Alliance, a number of issues have climbed onto the parliamentary calendar all at the same time. This means that the first part of 2024 is an unusually busy time for us, and also a time when we will be asking more than we normally do of you, as members, to use your voice. In the next few weeks debates will take place in Westminster on conversion therapy and abortion and there’s a vital consultation currently taking place on issues around gender in schools. Coupled with the…
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Scottish Government announces plans to ‘end conversion practices’
10 January 2024In the consultation the government outlined how they intend to end conversion practices – which they describe as “any effort to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity”. These measures are open to consultation before any legislation is brought to the Scottish Parliament and could become law. The Evangelical Alliance will respond to the consultation encouraging the Scottish Government to take proportionate measures and will provide resources to help members respond directly…
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