On Rock Or Sand?, the new book of essays edited by the Archbishop of York, pulls no punches in its attack on consumer society.

We are becoming obsessed with money, salaries, bonuses and luxuries to the exclusion of all else, Dr John Sentamu told an audience at the Mansion House yesterday.

The consumer society "distributed unhappiness", he said. “People borrowed money they did not have to buy things they did not need for a happiness that would not last.”

Dr Sentamu and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who has contributed to the book, have been accused of meddling in politics ahead of the General Election.

But Dr Sentamu argued that while the book was political, it wasn’t party political.

“Politics has to deal with the well-being of society – should we not be concerned?” he said.

As long as he stays out of party politics, of course he should. But that doesn’t mean everyone will agree with him. And it won’t make what he has to say any more palatable to politicians on the right.