Bournemouth conference highlights plight of the unborn in the face of state indifference

On 17 May an important and impactful one-day conference was held in Bournemouth. It concerned the church in the UK and human rights, which are increasingly being attacked, especially those of Christian believers and of the unborn child.

Many churches, however, seem to be silent on these very important issues that affect so many in our nation today.

The conference was organised by Christian Action Dorset, which is headed by me, Julie Vivienne, and is in association with Christian Peoples Alliance UK.

Another member of Christian Action Dorset, Annabel Clarke, played a major role in this conference, and it was very much her inspiration that helped the conference to take shape.

In the general election of 2024, I stood for the Christian Peoples Alliance in Bournemouth West, which led to my networking with many Christian contacts and organisations across Dorset. At the time, the importance of Christians coming together in unity of faith to impact our nation for Christ was laid on my heart.

At the conference we were blessed to have several high-profile Christian speakers, including Andrea Williams (Christian Concern), Dave Brennan (Brephos), Maureen Martin (Christian Peoples Alliance), Lois McLatchie Miller (ADF), and Rebekah Collins and Melissa Power (Hope Pregnancy UK).

During our afternoon panel our speakers were joined by Danielle Watkis (Christian Concern) and three people who have been convicted of the ‘crimes’ of silent prayer, silently offering consensual conversation by holding a piece of paper, or sending an email that offended two people. All three were heavily fined in Poole Magistrates’ Court. These three individuals were Adam Smith-Connor, Livia Tossici-Bolt, and David Skinner.

We were also joined by writer Christian Hacking, a pro-life campaigner and former Public Engagement Officer for CBR UK. In 2019, Christian became the first person to be arrested for publicly praying outside an abortion clinic.

Inspired by William Wilberforce and other Christian reformists, Mr Hacking started a UK-wide abortion abolition network, and is the founder of Vote Life.

We were also blessed by the attendance of Sukh Rajbsingh. Since finding Christ, Sukh has worked to educate people on how the mainstream media deceives and brainwashes.

Reflecting on the conference, Andrea Williams said, ‘This was a great day where Christians came together to bring the light of the gospel into every sphere of life – family, education, government, media, business, and beyond.

In a time of cultural confusion and moral uncertainty, this gathering served as a rallying point for believers to engage with the pressing issues of our day, not with fear or retreat, but with truth, love, and gospel conviction.’