‘Freedom is not a Quaker value per se but it is the core of my Conservatism.’
Vote for any of the parties, says Tania Mathias, but as a former Conservative MP she recommends one
When I was a Conservative member of parliament my Quaker faith was part of every decision I made, and every constituent case I dealt with. But it was probably only obvious to other people at the start of my term in the House of Commons. At the beginning of parliament, and before taking my seat, I had to make a solemn affirmation when other members were choosing religious texts on which to swear an oath. I was very glad that I was not the only Quaker MP in that intake and happy to discover that the other Quaker MPs were in the opposition party. For me, that is how it should be: I hope all the British parliamentary parties are open to all faiths if those faiths are all embracing and seek a common good.
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