Former Liberal Democrat MP and front-bench spokesman Dr Evan Harris has been unseated in the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency by Nicola Blackwood, in what is a significant development for both Christians and the political world.
Following a close-run campaign, Nicola Blackwood overturned Dr Harris’ 2005 majority of more than 7000, winning by just under 200 votes.
Christian concerns over Dr Harris’ extreme position on many ethical matters have undoubtedly played an important part in the result. Many local Christians and churches have engaged with the election process in a way not seen before. In particular, constituency resident and ordained Anglican minister, Rev Lynda Rose, has worked tirelessly and boldly to draw voters’ attention to the reality of Dr Harris’ anti-life and secularising agenda.
It seems that for many, these critical issues, which include matters of life and death, have outweighed party considerations. Given Dr Harris’ track-record, such a development is unsurprising.
In spite of his medical background, Evan Harris has consistently pushed anti-life policies that strike at the heart of human dignity. He has promoted the further liberalisation of abortion provision, backed controversial embryonic research methods and campaigned for the legalisation of assisted suicide.
Since 2000 he has been honorary president of the Liberal Democrats Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group, Delga, and he has backed attacks on the traditional understanding of marriage and family, voting for example against the requirement to consider a child’s need for both a mother and a father in determining eligibility for IVF treatment.
His determined and ruthlessly applied secularising agenda has been recognised in his being awarded the National Secular Society’s ‘Secularist of the Year’ award in 2009 and in his being appointed a Vice President of the British Humanist Association. It is also reflected in his opposition to faith schools and to protections for Christian ethos organisations to act in line with their doctrinal positions.
Worryingly, Dr Harris has occupied positions of significant influence and responsibility both within the Liberal Democrat party and in Parliament. He has in the past been front-bench spokesman on health for the party and since the 2005 election has held the science portfolio. He has also sat on parliamentary committees for education and employment, science and technology and human rights.