When The Spiritual Meets The Political
Proud to be Pagan
As many of you know, this blog began when I was standing as an MP in Wales.
I’m also a Pagan. “An ye harm none, do as ye will.”
The Scottish Pagan Federation has its own journal (eSpin), and in the Autumn 2024 issue they included me in an article “When The Spiritual Meets The Political,” about Pagans who had stood as MPs. The piece was put together by Helen Woodsford-Dean.
I’ll reproduce just the parts that relate to me, edited to match my original interview.
Back at the end of May, SPF received an email from one of our members and regular contributors to eSPIN, Karl Drinkwater, offering to write an article about his decision to stand for election to the Westminster Parliament as an MP. At the time, we had a bit of editorial deliberation over the matter and decided that we couldn’t print such an article then because SPF needs to be impartial during elections for legal reasons.
The eSPIN editorial team offered to run a piece on them after July’s General Election. I’m presenting it in interview format and think it will be of interest to our readers … I hope this is a thought-provoking article.
A lot of people think that politics and religion shouldn’t mix … see what you think when you’ve read Karl’s background, motivations and opinions.
Helen: Let’s start, please, by telling eSPIN’s readers a little about yourself, where you live in Scotland, and how long you’ve been a member of SPF.
Karl: I live in Dumfries, right by the river, with a view over the fields. There is nature all around, though my wildlife-rich garden is my daily peaceful refuge! I'm an author, writing fiction that I hope says something, in multiple genres. I also work part-time as a film projectionist at a small cinema and museum. In my spare time I do community things, and am on my local community council. I do lots of litter picking, and removing things like shopping trolleys from the river. The photograph is of one I dragged out last week. I also take part in weekly peace for Palestine vigils, and am involved in other campaigns such as protecting the environment, or anti-racism. I've always felt an affinity to nature, but only heard of (and joined) the SPF at the start of 2023.
Helen: Speaking personally, my own political and spiritual beliefs are entwined, and intrinsic to why I became politically active. One informs the other and is, in a way, a continuation of my service to the Pagan and wider community. How, why and when did you became active politically?
Karl: Everything is political. Every choice we make, everything we buy. There is no escaping from it. The whole of life is entwined with politics just as it is with nature. When I was eighteen I found out about veganism and immediately became a vegan. That was the start of my environmental and spiritual journey to understand how we are all connected, and how compassion is one of the key things to foster during our three score years and ten. Standing as a Parliamentary candidate was just one of a thousand actions I take for those without a voice.
Helen: So why did you join the political party you did? How do your beliefs align with theirs?
Karl: The Green Party is the closest to my beliefs. I can read their manifesto and nod in agreement at almost everything in there. More people should actually read the manifestos of parties before voting. Too often people vote out of habit, and don't realise how little their party says about the things that matter. Whether in the UK or US, I see hardly any difference between reds and blues any more. And since the political system is broken and biased in both countries, with politicians receiving huge bribes from the rich and powerful under the guise of lobbying and funding, without radical change we will remain fettered to outdated systems that only foster inequality.
Helen: What is / would have been your approach to politics? How is it different?
Karl: I had decided that, if I won, then, before entering the Houses of Parliament each day, I would pray on the nearby grass for wisdom and guidance and for peaceful outcomes; and it could lead to conversations about belief, religion, and how accepting Paganism is of other religions, and the strands of similarity between them. Tolerance and understanding. The best way to illustrate my difference is to quote part of my statement that I made when I agreed to stand since it probably doesn't read like anything a ‘normal’ politician would say: ‘There’s an urgent need for change. To get rid of politicians who destroy public services, increase inequality, promote violence in foreign policy, stifle opposition, enable genocide, support apartheid, increase debt, destroy the environment, and lie to us. Career politicians just seeking more power and perks for themselves and those who buy them. We need to protect what’s good, and rediscover what has been lost. We are not separate from nature, we are a part of it. We must imagine a world that reconnects us to the land, that is fair and equal, where we can experience fulfilling and sustainable lives in friendly communities.’ Imagine if a Conservative or Labour candidate said any of that? They'd be thrown out of their parties! I'd be more like Jose Mujica who was president of Uruguay while living on a ramshackle farm and giving away most of his pay, using his 60-year-old bicycle as means of transportation. We need more leaders like that, not corrupt warmongers and genocide supporters.
Helen: In closing, is there anything else you’d like to add? Where do you think your political future will go now? Speaking personally, I was rather relieved when I didn’t get elected, because politics is such a murky and mucky place, and I suspect trying to maintain my integrity would have been the death of me!
Karl: I didn't want to be an MP. I stood to give people a choice. But I didn't want to leave my loved ones, my home (I was standing in the constituency of Dwyfor Meirionnydd). Politics already comes into my fiction but maybe I'll write more non-fiction, too: beliefs and philosophy. Or I could stand as a Councillor in a Scottish county, or as an MSP. We'll see. I go where I'm needed. I remain proud to be detested by racists, bigots, megarich tax dodgers, fascists, sexists, apartheid defenders, homophobes, ageists, people who are cruel to animals, colonialists, regressives, those who adore inherited privilege, imperialists, and warmongers. I can’t be bought or bribed. Here's to a peaceful future.
Helen: Thank you so much, for providing me with your inspiring thoughts. Thank you also for doing what you do: sometimes I forget that individuals can make a big difference to the world; we just need to be brave enough to do so. Thank you for your bravery.
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