Justin Welby: Political leaders should treat opponents as human beings

The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged politicians not to treat their opponents as enemies but fellow human beings.

Speaking to the BBC, the Most Rev Justin Welby warned Britain's leaders to avoid divisive topics.

But he said our capacity «to disagree deeply and not destructively» is cause for hope.

Later, he will deliver a new year's message reflecting on global conflicts and his wishes for a «peaceful 2024».

The archbishop's intervention came during an interview for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, which is being guest edited by Dame Emma Walmsley, chief executive of pharmaceutical company GSK.

Globally, 2024 will see more than half of the world's population heading to the polls, with votes scheduled in nations including in the US, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, South Africa and South Sudan.

The next general election in the UK must be held before the end of January 2025, but it is up to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to choose when to call it.

Mr Welby said: «Democratic elections are, effectively, reconciled civil war. Reconciliation is about the process in which we can differ hugely, but not destructively.»

He noted that, up to the late 18th Century in Britain, its leadership was decided by "[standing] on the nearest big hill and… killing each other. That's not what we're proposing".

The archbishop added: «But what we have, which gives me hope in this country and a number of others, is the capacity to disagree deeply and not destructively. We've demonstrated that for decades — centuries in some cases.»

He said this would be the «challenge for this year» as he urged leaders to «forswear wedge issues» that render their opponents their enemies.

«Actually, we have to say: 'My opponent is never my enemy. My opponent is always my