THE York Council of Churches is an organisation for Christian churches of all denominations in the city.

We note with concern that voting figures for the European Parliamentary Elections have been steadily falling during the past 25 years.

In 1999, at the last such election, only one in four of those registered as voters in the UK turned up at the polling stations.

As a nation, we lead the way in Europe by our lack of participation in the democratic process.

The reality is that the European parliament is having an increasing impact on our daily lives in this city.

More than 80 per cent of laws to do with our environment now come from European directives.

It should be noted that the forthcoming elections are based on proportional representation.

Seats are given to parties based on their share of the total votes cast.

If there is a poor turnout, that will certainly help small and fringe parties to register a higher percentage of the votes cast, and put them nearer to winning a seat.

Among small parties fielding candidates in this election are some which are seeking to divide our society on racial and asylum issues.

As a Christian Council we deplore all such attempts at division.

We therefore urge all Christians, members of other faith communities, and people of goodwill in the city to exercise their right to vote.

We also urge you to place your vote only with a candidate whose party policies reflect a spirit of inclusion and unity, rather than exclusion and division.

Paul Wordsworth,

Chair of the York Council of Churches,

Muncastergate,

York.

Updated: 10:00 Friday, June 04, 2004