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.
Understanding the politics of lockdown
14 October 2020The system of individual local lockdowns in England has now been replaced with a three-tier set of restrictions, with every local authority placed in one of the three categories. At present only the wider Liverpool City Region is in the highest tier of restrictions, which sees the closure of many bars and pubs, but alcohol can still be served in conjunction with a ‘substantial meal’. The other areas of England that had previously been in local lockdown are in the middle tier, which largely…
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Hope has a name, and its name is Jesus
25 September 2020The change in government guidelines and regulations that we’re seeing on a seemingly weekly basis exposes how vital hope is, and yet how easily we place our hope in the wrong things. We hope for a reduction in coronavirus cases to enable our lives to return to some semblance of normality. Better still, we hope for a vaccine that will enable us to return to normal life. We hope for an economy that protects people’s livelihoods and rewards good work. None of these are groundless hopes; we can…
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New lockdown rules: what does it mean for churches?
10 September 2020There are a number of places where more than six people can attend at the same time, and this includes places of worship. Therefore, church services can go ahead as long as they operate according to the Government’s guidance, with social distancing maintained and other hygiene measures in place. The primary exception to the ‘rule of six’ is for households or exclusive support bubbles that have more than six people. In these situations that group can gather together and attend venues together.…
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Reopening churches: acting with confidence and wisdom
4 September 2020However, this year the return to normality is not at all like we're used to. It’s not a six-week break that we’re returning from, but a gradual and hesitant resumption of something akin to the usual after six months of very unusual times. Over the course of the coronavirus crisis, as a society, we have all had to adapt to multiple changes, some of which happened very quickly. Other changes, especially as we continue to emerge from the lockdown, are happening much more slowly: restrictions are…
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Domestic abuse law hijacked by abortion amendments
6 July 2020UPDATE: The Speaker of the House of Commons has not selected the amendment to decriminalise abortion for debate and vote. MPs will however still vote on a proposed amendment to allow women in abusive relationships access to home abortion kits throughout the first 24 weeks of their pregnancy.
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Reopening of church buildings: what now?
25 June 2020In his statement to parliament on 23 June the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, also announced that wedding ceremonies in England will be able to take place from the 4 July with a cap of 30 people. Alongside this are other changes permitting the reopening of restaurants, pubs and many, but not all, other commercial venues. There is also a relaxation of measures relating to private dwellings which will enable one household to visit indoors and stay overnight with another household. Each of the…
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First steps for churches post lockdown as restrictions relaxed
19 June 2020In England and Northern Ireland churches can now open for individual prayer, and in Scotland and Wales this will be permitted from 22 June. This is a permissive move so individual churches and denominations will make decisions as to whether they can open their buildings. Any opening will need to ensure physical distancing can be maintained and appropriate hygiene and cleaning measures in place. Aside from weddings in exceptional circumstances, for example when one partner is critically ill, no…
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Prayer is not private
11 June 2020First, the move presupposes that what they are now allowing is a meaningful accommodation of religious practice, and, second, the very phrase ‘private prayer’ reinforces the public-private divide. The decisions for the other nations of the UK are being taken separately by each devolved administration, and church denominations may choose to reopen at their own pace. I’m all for personal prayer; it’s one of the clearest commands in scripture for the Christian life, and it is a life-giving…
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Christian charity Cornerstone challenges Ofsted's discrimination rating
20 May 2020After receiving inspection results of ‘good’ in 2015 the charity’s fostering work was marked as ‘requires improvement’ in 2019 mainly due to its policy of only recruiting evangelical carers. The policy is in line with the Equality Act 2010, and allows the charity to provide a service to a particular community. Cornerstone has taken Ofsted to court to challenge the inspection finding, arguing that if it is upheld it would rewrite equality rules and mean religious organisations could be found…
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The media have it wrong. Churches are not rushing to open their doors
19 May 2020This growing wave of opinion is missing one vital component: churches do not wish to reopen just yet. Don’t get me wrong, churches of every stripe are desperate to be able to meet again, to be able to congregate in a room and worship God, to grow as a body and be a visible witness to their community of the hope that Jesus brings. But not now.Having spoken with church leaders from a wide variety of denominations and streams during lockdown, churches have responded swiftly and resolutely to…
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Church in lockdown will continue until at least July
12 May 2020Many of the changes only apply to England and separate regulations stipulate the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each of the devolved administrations has reiterated that the ongoing message remains to stay at home and only minor amendments have been made to the regulations, for example, allowing exercise more than once per day. Our director of Wales, Siân Rees, has taken a look at some of the differences between England and Wales. The Government has sought to start the process…
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