[size=14pt]Atheist Nick Clegg discovers religion in time for polling day[/size]


^{Atheist Nick Clegg discovers religion in time for polling day}

Nick Clegg, who publicly declared that he was an atheist, claims that Christian values are 'central' to Liberal Democrat policies.

Praised for defying political convention when he admitted in 2007 that he was an atheist, Nick Clegg appears to have undergone a rapid conversion.

The Liberal Democrat leader, who was criticised by David Cameron for his "holier-than-thou" attitude in the first of the televised leaders' debates, has written an article for The Church of England Newspaper in which he claims that Christian values are "central" to his policies.

"My objective is to make space in society for every individual to pursue their [sic] own beliefs, and to achieve their potential," he writes. "For me that means being willing to take a stand, even on issues that may be unpopular."

Clegg, whose wife, Miriam, is a Roman Catholic, gave the sermon at an Anglican church in Surrey on Sunday. "We are proud to support specific campaigns organised by Christian groups," he says. "We are in no doubt that these are policies that will make our country fairer."

Although he voted in 2008 for abortions to continue to be allowed up to six months into a pregnancy, Clegg claims that the Lib Dems could help right-to-life campaigners.

"On 'conscience' issues like abortion and stem cell research, where no party has a united view, it will be possible for every elector to have their say about these questions by supporting candidates who share their views," he says.

Curiously, he could not find space anywhere in the article to mention that he does not believe in God.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/nick-clegg/7611480/Atheist-Nick-Clegg-discovers-religion-in-time-for-polling-day.html

@e36991,
Christian values and a belief in the existence of god are not the same thing. Like the Daily Telegraph, which is decidedly very partisan, you would not let the truth stand in the way of a good story. Nick Clegg's beliefs are quite well known. He does not need to reiterate every time he writes an article. It is like saying that every time Tony Blair makes a speech or writes an article he should start by saying I am Blair and I believe in god.