The UK’s political parties are out of step with public opinion on their increasingly hostile treatment of candidates who hold religious beliefs, according to a recent poll.

As the cancelling and no-platforming of such candidates is on the rise, the poll questioned 2,000 people about the Liberal Democrats’ decision to deselect parliamentary candidate David Campanale following a campaign against him by activists who objected to his Christian views.

The Whitestone Insight poll conducted between 5 and 6 June found that 75 per cent of those expressing a view on the issue opposed the deselection, while 25 per cent supported the decision. Among those voting for the Liberal Democrats, though, 57 per cent believed Campanale should not have been deselected, compared to 43 per cent who thought the party made the right decision.

“The findings underscore the public’s unease with the perceived marginalisation of Christians in politics and highlight the need for political parties to foster a more inclusive environment for individuals of all faiths and beliefs,” says Andrew Hawkins, Chief Executive of Whitestone Insight.