The Church of England's General Synod has voted to exclude clergy from being members of the British National Party. The proposal was overwhelmingly approved with 322 votes for and 13 against, with 20 abstentions. The plans, proposed by e member of the police, are styled on the policy of the Association of the Chief Police Officers.
Vasantha Gnanadoss, who put forward the idea, said this measure was essential in stopping parties such as the BNP from attaching themselves to the Church but banning clergy from joining any political parties wasn't possible under current rules. She also said that it was also important that a strong message was sent out against racial prejudice. The BNP, which campaigns for repatriation of immigrants, say they are not racist and this is a claim regularly refuted by chariman Nick Griffin. The church has encouraged voters to shun the BNP in previous elections and has also passed a resolution before which deplored the "sin of racial hatred".
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