THE Bishop of Blackburn has urged East Lancashire people to vote and defeat ‘the politics of hate’ in the forthcoming General Election.

WIth experts predicting an election on May 6, the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade has rejected suggestions the church should stay out of politics.

Instead, in an address tomorrow to members of the Blackburn Diocesan Synod, he will set out the issues he believes Christians need to consider before deciding who to vote for.

Urging voters to reject extremist parties, Bishop Reade will say: “God's Kingdom is not just the Church, but it embraces the world as well. That means God is also concerned with what you and I do on May 6, or whatever date the Prime Minister chooses.

“In difficult economic times there are always those who are tempted to look for solutions among extreme political parties, and we need to underline that the politics of hatred can never come up with a solution to our problems.

“Hate won't repay one penny of the money the banks lost in 2008. Hate isn't going to build one single affordable home.”

And in an obvious reference to the 2007 closure of Burnley General Hospital’s emergency department, he will add: “Hate isn't going to reopen a closed accident and emergency unit.”

The Bishop will also urge Christian voters to show 'bias' to the poor when voting on economics and bias to strangers on law and order issues.

He will add: “I hope the people of our diocese and county will not wander towards apathy in the coming weeks, but rather renew their political commitment for God's sake, not ours.

“Otherwise we are in danger of becoming unjust stewards of the democracy for which many have died, and failing citizens of the kingdom Jesus died to establish.”

Members of the Blackburn Diocesan Synod will meet tomorrow in Preston.