The Church condemns as sinful many of the practices endorsed by the political class, including usury, abortion and same-sex marriage. So how should a Christian vote in the election?

Every November, I especially miss Auberon Waugh, and his annual call for the canonisation of Guy Fawkes, who attempted to blow up both Houses of Parliament with all the members sitting. The self-importance of almost all politicians who appear on television is breathtaking, and most of what they say appears to be self-contradictory and nonsensical.

I decided after the referendum (in which I hesitantly voted Remain) that this would be my last vote. Partly because, at 65, as I was then, I thought myself too old to vote. Why should I dictate to future generations? Secondly, I do not share the views professed by any of the parties on offer. But there is more to it than that.

As I approach my seventieth birthday next autumn, I attempt, falteringly, to embrace and follow the faith delivered to the saints. I fail, of course, but the more I try, the clearer it seems that the faith discourages or forbids many of the practices actively encouraged by our political classes. Usury is chief among them. Scripture and the tradition of the Church condemns the lending of money on interest in far starker terms than it pronounces on any question of sexual ethics. Islam continues to take this seriously.