Churches and faith communities will play a key role in Labour’s plans for a "national renewal", according to faith minister Lord Khan.
As the first Muslim to hold the position, Lord Khan spoke during the Labour Party Conference’s annual church service, which saw several MPs attend, though Sir Keir Starmer was absent.
In his address, Lord Khan reflected on seeing church leaders and faith groups come together during the summer riots, praising the impact they had in helping their communities.
"We saw divisions emerging in some of our communities, yet, in those places where violent disorder and disturbances occurred, we also witnessed the power of faith," he said.
"We watched people from different religious backgrounds stand together to protect each other's places of worship, care for the victims of violence and intimidation, and heal our broken communities.
"Brothers and sisters, none of this would have been possible without the faithful witness and powerful actions of Christians across these communities.
"As we move from dark days to a brighter future, churches and faith communities will continue to play a vital role as critical partners in our mission-led government and national renewal."
Lord Khan also promised to meet quarterly with church and denominational leaders as part of the Church Works Commission, ensuring the new Labour government works closely with the church to achieve their shared goals.
Secretary for Business, Jonathan Reynolds, and MP Juliet Campbell were also present and did a reading from Isaiah 65:17-25, while John Kirk, CEO of Hope into Action, delivered the sermon.
The service, organised annually by Christians on the Left, also marked a send-off for Jonathan Reynolds, who is stepping down as chair after eight years to focus on his new role in the Cabinet Office.
Christians on the Left director, Hannah Rich, paid tribute to Reynolds, saying: “Your dedication to being a Christian socialist might have puzzled some journalists at times, but we’ve cheered you on every step of the way. I’ve always appreciated your integrity, generosity, intelligence, and your way of connecting with people. It’s a rare gift to lead meetings efficiently while handling serious topics with kindness and humour.”