The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has delivered a powerful rebuke of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, condemning his divisive rhetoric on migrants crossing the English Channel as profoundly "un-Christian."
In a striking intervention that places the Church of England at the heart of a heated political debate, the Archbishop argued that Mr. Farage's language fosters division and directly contradicts the core Christian value of compassion for the vulnerable.
Speaking to The Independent, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell stated, "When I hear someone like Nigel Farage talking about being crowded out by migrants... I just think this is so un-Christian." He emphasised that the Christian calling is to "welcome the stranger," a principle he believes is being dangerously eroded in public discourse.
A Clash of Values on the Campaign Trail
The Archbishop's comments come amidst a general election campaign where immigration and small boat crossings have become a central battleground. Mr. Farage, who has made stopping the boats a key pillar of his party's manifesto, has often employed charged language on the campaign trail.
Archbishop Cottrell challenged this approach, framing it not just as a political issue but a moral one. He expressed deep concern that such rhetoric is "creating more division" in communities and is a "very negative influence" on the national conversation.
Defining 'British Values' as Compassion
Pushing back against the populist narrative, the Archbishop offered a counter-definition of British values, one rooted in historical pride but also in generosity. "I'm very proud to be British... but part of that is being generous and compassionate," he asserted.
He warned against a politics that "blames the stranger at the gate" for complex societal problems, suggesting that true strength lies in a confident, welcoming society that upholds its duty to protect those fleeing violence and persecution.
This public condemnation from one of the most senior figures in the Church of England signals a significant moment where religious leadership is directly challenging the tone of the immigration debate, urging a return to principles of empathy and solidarity.
