Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain on voting

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain of Maidenhead Synagogue  wrote to The Times on the the religious duty to vote and that people of faith should ‘consider the needs of society afresh at each election, rather than being automatically wedded to a particular party’.

Sir, The messages urging Muslims not to vote in the general election as only God is in charge (News, Apr 18), have been rightly condemned by Muslim leaders, but highlight the false dichotomy between religion and politics often assumed about other faiths, too. The command to “Let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an everlasting stream” (Amos v, 24) cannot be restricted to synagogue or church committee meetings, but is a direct prescription for political action. It means that those who fail to vote on May 7 can be described not only as indifferent, but as irreligious. The one issue that should distinguish those of faith from others, is: “Thou shalt be a floating voter,” considering the needs of society afresh at each election, rather than being automatically wedded to a particular party.