This week the Liberal Democrats launched our 2015 manifesto. 

In the run up to the publication, LDCF have been calling for the manifesto to include the appointment of an Ambassador for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

This is in recognition of the fact that almost 75% of the world’s population live in countries with high levels of government restrictions on freedom of religion or belief - in many of these countries people are killed or tortured because of their faith.

We are delighted to report that this call has been heard. The manifesto states:

LDCF Director, Claire Mathys shares why she will be voting for the Liberal Democrats on 7th May 2015.

Nick Clegg delivers his Easter message for 2015. 

'As one of the most significant Christian festivals, Easter is a time of reflection and renewal. What it celebrates is the moving and powerful story of Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection. 

As the poet Spenser wrote, “Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.

And the values that Jesus lived his life by - compassion, humility and forgiveness – resonate with people of all faiths and none.'

Watch Nick's speech in full below

In a radio interview with Premier Christian Radio on 3rd March, Nick Clegg talked frankly about his views on faith.

He admitted to having a complex attitude to faith, although spoke of the many members of his family who were Christians, including his paternal grandmother, who had been a devout member of the Russian Orthodox church, his mother, who converted to Catholicism later on in life, his brother, a devout Anglican, and his wife Miriam, also a Catholic. Nick said he went to Mass regularly with Miriam and the children, who are being brought up in the Catholic faith, which “was a great joy.”

In February 2015 a survey was published by the Evangelical Alliance, looking at the key issues of importance to evangelical Christians. The Alliance surveyed over 2000 evangelical Christians, asking questions about their political views and voting intentions.

The survey found that poverty was the main concern for Lib Dems Christians. When Liberal Democrat supporters were asked in more detail about their policy priorities, the top five issues that emerged were:

•  Helping the poorest: 74%
•  Ensuring religious liberty: 64%
•  Eliminating human trafficking: 53%
•  Protecting 0.7% international development aid: 51%
•  Introducing the living wage: 50%

Stephen Lloyd, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon, has provided a Lib Dem response to the report, 2020 Vision of the Good Society, published by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and Church Action on Poverty in February 2015.