A CONTROVERSIAL letter from Church of England bishops urging congregations to vote in May’s General Election will be discussed by a bishop, a former MP and a professor at a public forum in Ilkley next week.

The 52-page letter, entitled "Who is my neighbour?", provoked much national comment, and the Right Reverend Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds for the Diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales, Ann Cryer, former MP for Keighley and Professor Canon Arthur Francis, former Dean of Bradford University School of Management, will be discussing it in detail at All Saints Church, Ilkley, at 7pm next Tuesday, March 24.

Prof Francis said: “It’s a remarkable letter which, while not being party political, identifies key issues and ideas about which church members should have a view.

“We’ll be discussing its main points and there’ll be plenty of opportunity for questions and comments from the floor. "It promises to be a lively evening and all are welcome.”

Entry is free and without ticket.

The Bishops’ letter can be read online here.