LETTER : The Gospel on Clause IV

Andy Winter
Tuesday 21 March 1995 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

From Mr Andy Winter and others

Sir: Your report of Dr Leslie Griffiths' lecture to the Christian Socialist Movement ("Labour to receive Methodist blessing", 18 March) implies that the new Clause IV has been endorsed by Christian socialists.

While some, like Dr Griffiths, may like it, many Christian Socialists continue to believe that common ownership remains a fundamental expression of our faith. As for the Christian Socialist Movement, it retains as one of its seven aims "the common ownership and democratic control of the productive resources of the earth".

It is said that the new Clause IV will make Labour more electable. St Matthew asks: "For what has one profited if they shall gain the whole world, and lose their own soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Christian Socialists like us are asking a similar question about the Labour Party.

Yours faithfully,

ANDY WINTER,

JANIE THOMAS

HAZEL BARKHAM

WILL SHEAFF

CATH HOLMSTROM

MONA WARREN

Brighton

19 March

The writers are members of the Executive Committee of the Christian Socialist Movement and are writing in their personal capacity.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in