22 September 2025

Building a more United Kingdom: A letter from senior church leaders

Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main

Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main have signed a letter calling for unity and compassion following the Unite the Kingdom rally.

Following the Unite the Kingdom rally in London this month, Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main joined with senior UK church leaders to sign a letter calling for ‘a more United Kingdom’.

The letter, published in The Sunday Times and the Sunday Mirror, expressed concern about ‘the co-opting of Christian symbols, particularly the cross’ during the rally for political purposes.

The church leaders acknowledged people’s right to free speech and to hold different views on issues such as immigration, as well as the need to disagree well when consensus is difficult.

‘We also understand that for many of those involved in the rally there is a deep sense of frustration at feeling unheard and forgotten,’ said the letter.

Jesus calls us to love both our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger.

‘We know that we cannot heal this wound unless the Church, and society as a whole, rises to do more to address the issues of poverty, inequality and exclusion.

‘However, this march included racist, anti-Muslim and far right elements. As Christians from different theological and political backgrounds we stand together against the misuse of Christianity. The cross is the ultimate sign of sacrifice for the other.

‘Jesus calls us to love both our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger. Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith for political purposes is unacceptable.’

The Christian leaders committed to ‘building a more United Kingdom where the Christian values of love, humility and compassion shine through in every community’.

Read the full letter below.

To the Editor,

We are deeply concerned about the co-opting of Christian symbols, particularly the cross, during Saturday’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. Many individuals and communities felt anxious, unsettled and even threatened by aspects of the march.

There were undoubtedly diverse motivations for those engaged in the event. We respect the right to free speech, to hold different views on issues such as immigration, the importance of healthy debate between religious communities and the need to disagree well when consensus is difficult.

We also understand that for many of those involved in the rally there is a deep sense of frustration at feeling unheard and forgotten in the democratic process. We know that we cannot heal this wound unless the Church, and society as a whole rises to do more to address the issues of poverty, inequality and exclusion.

However, this march included racist, anti-Muslim and far right elements. As Christians from different theological and political backgrounds we stand together against the misuse of Christianity.

The cross is the ultimate sign of sacrifice for the other. Jesus calls us to love both our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger. Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith for political purposes is unacceptable.

As Christian leaders we are proud of our country and commit ourselves to building a more United Kingdom where the Christian values of love, humility and compassion shine through in every community; and we do so unapologetically in the name of Jesus Christ.

Yours faithfully,

Senior Christian Leaders