Nadine Dorries: Westminster is making me lose my faith

By Charles Maggs

Nadine Dorries' Christian faith is waning because of the culture in Westminster, she has admitted.

In an interview with politics.co.uk, the Tory backbencher said the "cynicism" of British politics had a corrosive effect on Christian MPs.

"I think [my faith] takes such a beating in parliament," she said.

"It's such a cynical world. It's very hard to be a practising Christian in parliament. I think it's almost impossible, actually.

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"My faith is not something that's a big thing," she added.

"Do I believe in God? Yes. Do I believe that Jesus lived? Yes. Do I pray? Yes. Do I pray often? No.

"Am I a sinner? Yes. Frequently. Daily. Minutely. So what does that make me?"

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The revelation is particularly surprising as Dorries is often considered a British version of US-style Tea Party candidates in the US, whose political views are largely derived from their faith.

The Mid-Bedfordshire MP even said her election to parliament was a calling from God.

Despite the concession, Dorries was adamant she tries to live as a good Christian.

"[My faith] plays a role in possibly all things, because as a Christian you try to do the thing always, you try to do good rather than harm," she said.

The Tory backbencher is currently trying to secure a reduction in the legal limit for abortions from 24 weeks to 20 weeks.

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