CPA Newham is not in the business of giving privileged treatment to any group, religious or otherwise. In God's eyes, everyone is equal. But we do stand for Christian Democratic values, the social teaching of the churches and biblical values. This means we are strong on social justice, strong on promoting the interests of the powerless and vulnerable, and strong on family values and pro-life concerns. Confident in our Christian beliefs, we work willingly for people of all faiths and of none.
Winning in Canning Town was a very significant achievement for two reasons: Firstly, CPA now represents the neighbourhood that the London Research Centre has categorised as the most deprived ward in all Greater London's 33 boroughs - and one of the most deprived in the country. CPA stands with and speaks for the marginalised, the voiceless and the poor.
Secondly, records show that until CPA came along, the Canning Town South area had been solidly and continuously Labour for almost 100 years. And indeed the first-ever Labour MP - the Christian socialist Keir Hardie - was elected here in 1892. CPA is a young pioneering party that, David-like, can take on the Labour Party goliath in its own back yard, and win!
Nationally, the CPA was founded in 2000 by leading members of the non-party Movement for Christian Democracy, which in turn was formed in 1991 by a group of cross-party Christian Members of Parliament. The CPA has adopted the same principles and social vision, summarised as the Six Principles of Christian Democracy. These are:
- Active
- Compassion
- Respect for Life
- Social Justice
- Wise Stewardship
- Empowerment, and
- Reconciliation.
We believe that Christianity gives a vision for the whole of politics - through principles, policies, peacemaking, economic policy and ethics. The Bible as God's revelation and Jesus' words and life are our central guide. We see the death and resurrection of Jesus as the central human event, bringing peace with God, and renewed life. We want to live within God's love and forgiveness, rather than remain within the old patterns of human failure in life and politics.
From the first the Christian Peoples Alliance puts faith at the centre of politics. Our aim is to follow and fulfil these principles in British political life:
- Recognition of Christ's sovereignty over the nations and in politics.
- Respect of God's law as the basis for constitutional government and a stable society.
- Reconciliation among nations, races, religions, classes, gender and communities.
- Respect for human life given by God
- Social Justice to address wrongs and provide restitution to the wronged. Careful economic stewardship of God's creation.
- Commitment to the fairness of markets and patterns of exchange. Peacemaking, by addressing the causes of wars.
- Open, transparent government, which subjects itself to debate and critique.
Since our formation, the CPA has carried the backing of Christian Democratic parties across Europe, the support of Church leaders of all denominational backgrounds and encouragement from leading members across the faiths.
