Christmas is a time of year when we are supposed to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Obviously, this simple message of Christianity is lost in the sea of commercialism and self-indulgence.

The UK Independence Party is not a religious grouping in any format but recognize that the great history of our country is in no sense disconnected from the essential basic Christian faith of its inhabitants since the time of the Reformation.

In areas such as the law and justice, our desire to prevent our governments from becoming tyrannies, the importance of protecting minority opinions and respecting your opponent’s together with the strong missionary zeal which was part of the foundation of the much-maligned British Empire: all of these ideas are rooted in the New Testament.

Perhaps amidst the jingling of the bells and the endless pop tunes we can pause for a moment to reflect on the birth of our Lord whose teachings transcend human history in a way that is true of no other.

Wishing everyone the compliments of the season.

Donald MacKay

UK Independence Party Spokesman for Education and Religion