The Waugh Room

Friday 16th December 2011 | 16:44

Cam Does God

Tony Blair was famously told by Alastair Campbell 'we don't do God'. 

But David Cameron has today made quite a bold speech setting out why Christianity in particular and religious belief in general gives moral substance to politics.

His speech (read it in full HERE) in Christ Church, Oxford, was to mark the 400th anniversary of one of Britain's most extraordinary cultural achievements: the publication of the King James Bible.

The PM has a raft of neat quotes in the speech, which is sure to cause a bit of a kerfuffle for its rejection of moral relativism and forthright defence of Britain as a "Christian country".

Here's a few of the choicest quotes:

"We are a Christian country. And we should not be afraid to say so. Let me be clear: I am not in any way saying that to have another faith - or no faith - is somehow wrong.

I know and fully respect that many people in this country do not have a religion. And I am also incredibly proud that Britain is home to many different faith communities, who do so much to make our country stronger.

But what I am saying is that the Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today. Values and morals we should actively stand up and defend. 

The alternative of moral neutrality should not be an option. You can’t fight something with nothing. Because if we don’t stand for something, we can’t stand against anything."

Ed Miliband will probably be pleased that his own emphasis on the need for 'moral' capitalism is being picked up by Cameron, even though it is not directly acknowledged.

From the summer riots to banker bonuses to MPs' expenses, the PM says (with a typically Cameroonian vernacular):

"one thing is clear: moral neutrality or passive tolerance just isn’t going to cut it anymore"

The theologians will no doubt have a field day with the full speech, but I note that the PM even managed a neat dig at Sarko's France:

"Many people tell me it is much easier to be Jewish or Muslim here in Britain than it is in a secular country like France.

Why? Because the tolerance that Christianity demands of our society provides greater space for other religious faiths too.

And because many of the values of a Christian country are shared by people of all faiths and indeed by people of no faith at all."

The strange thing is that this is a speech that Tony Blair probably wishes he'd made in office. On religion at least, maybe Cam really is the Heir to Blair?

Still, the timing is quite ironic.

If there was a heaven he believed in, Christopher Hitchens would be looking down with a wry smile at the PM's speech.

Particularly as fellow atheist Nick Clegg only this morning paid him handsome tribute...