Labour's 2017 manifesto: What does it say about religion?

A draft Labour party manifesto, leaked before its official unveiling, promises mass nationalisation, state control of bills and pay and hesitation over nuclear weapons in the most left-wing manifesto in a generation.

In among the promises to scrap tuition fees and build 100,000 council homes each year, Labour makes scant reference to faith and religion.

Jeremy Corbyn is said to be furious at the leak, with different Labour figures blaming each other.Christians on the Left

In comparison to Ed Miliband's 2015 manifesto, Corbyn has dampened down the promise for a specific Global Envoy for Religious Freedom – a suggestion pioneered by the Christian Labour MP Steven Timms.

Corbyn's draft manifesto keeps an equivalent role, which is more than was offered in the Conservative's 2015 proposals.

But it has been folded into one of a number of ambassadors to promote human rights.

The leaked manifesto promises: 'We will appoint dedicated global ambassadors for women's rights, LGBT rights and religious freedom to lead the government's work to fight discrimination and promote equality globally – working alongside a Labour government's Minister for Peace and Disarmament.'

Other than that the 47-page document, which Labour insist will be added to before it is officially released, makes little mention of the importance of religion.

Churches' role in running foodbanks, offering community and running services such a childcare units and debt advice goes unmentioned.

The only other mention of faith comes in a promise to makes hate crimes against LGBT people on a par with religious hate crimes.

'Labour will bring the law on LGBT hate crimes into line with hate crimes based on race and faith, by making them aggravated offences,' it reads.

In a section entitled 'Diverse Communities', the manifesto speaks more fully on antisemitism and Islamophobia after Corbyn was accused of failing to crack down on antisemitism in his own party.

'We seek to build a society free from all forms of racism, anti-Semitism and lslamophobia,' the document reads.

'We should all be deeply troubled by the rise in racially aggravated attacks and race hate crime this year. Anti-Semitic incidents are also on the rise once more and we are committed to combating this trend with adequate resources and firm political will.'

It goes on to say Labour's investigation into antisemitism within its members was 'an unprecendented step' and showed their commitment to tackling the issue.

'Labour is already acting on recommendations, including reform of internal disciplinary procedures to make
them firmer and fairer, and expansion of training to tackle anti-Semitism. On a matter of such importance, Labour urges all democratic political parties to do the same.'

The draft still has to be approved by more than 80 senior Labour figures and will be discussed at a meeting on Thursday before it is officially unveiled.

For a full manifesto to be leaked is unprecedented and rather than seizing the chance for more publicity, the party is in danger of retreating into internal squabbling over who is to blame.

Christian Today will bring you updates on what all the major parties say about faith and religion when their manifestos, or drafts of them, are released.