Nigel Farage attempts to woo Christian voters by promising protection to those who want to object to gay marriage in the course of carrying out their jobs

Ukip has released a mini-manifesto for Christians, saying it would extend protection to those who want to oppose gay marriage because of their religious beliefs.

The document is published on the websites of some candidates and the election page of Christian Concern, a group that is against abortion and same-sex marriage.

The manifesto for Christians says Ukip would not seek to reverse gay marriage, even though the party was opposed to it being introduced. However, it would offer special protection to those who wanted to object to gay marriage or express other matters of religious conscience in the course of carrying out their jobs.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ukip says it doesn’t plan to ‘un-marry’ loving couples. Photograph: Alamy

This could include the Christian owners of a bakery who did not want to bake a Bert and Ernie gay marriage celebration cake or Christian relationship counsellor who wanted to counsel only heterosexual couples.

The manifesto says: “We will not repeal the legislation, as it would be grossly unfair and unethical to ‘un-marry’ loving couples or restrict further marriages, but we will not require churches to marry same-sex couples. We will also extend the legal concept of ‘reasonable accommodation’ to give protection in law to those expressing a religious conscience in the workplace on this issue.”



Reasonable accommodation means employers would have to makes allowances for people’s beliefs as long as this does not impose an undue burden.

We will not repeal the legislation … but we will not require churches to marry same-sex couples Ukip

Ukip has been particularly chasing the Christian vote in light of the coalition’s passage of same-sex marriage legislation. The party’s leader, Nigel Farage, has repeatedly emphasised his belief that the UK has a Judaeo-Christian culture and says there needs to be a more muscular defence of the country’s Christian heritage.

In a foreword to the Christian manifesto, Farage said: “This does not, of course, mean we should be disrespectful of other faiths, only that ours is fundamentally a Christian nation and so we believe Christianity should be recognised by government at all levels.



“Sadly, I think Ukip is the only major political party left in Britain that still cherishes our Judaeo-Christian heritage. I believe other parties have deliberately marginalised our nation’s faith, whereas we take Christian values and traditions into consideration when making policy.”

Ukip is also emphasising the importance of traditional families, saying: “Traditional Christian views of marriage and family life have come under attack of late.” It added: “We have no problem in supporting and even promoting conventional marriage as a firm foundation for a secure and happy family.”

The party would increase the marriage tax allowance, a measure that gives a tax break to families that include one stay-at-home parent.