I have never approached the final few days of any election period without a clear idea in my head of how to vote. These European elections, taking place in such a particular and peculiar context, have proved challenging as we consider how we ought to engage. As Christians, how do we rise …
Politics and Elections
European Elections 2019
This European election is unlike any other. The UK Government and many others do not think the election should happen. It could even be cancelled before election day. The people elected may not ever take their seats and, if they do, they may not serve a full term. This election will take …
Meet Your MP: Using our voices
In a guest blog, Revd Katy Thomas, a Methodist minister from Wilmslow in Cheshire, writes about her experience of arranging a meeting with her MP last month. At the Methodist Women in Britain Conference earlier this year, Rachel Lampard from the Joint Public Issues Team spoke about Universal …
Conservative Party Conference: the pastoral and the political
Send your spirit upon them Lord, strengthen them for the task to which they are called. But let us not forget, that though others may do the task, we cannot abandon it to them, that we must support them. This is an extract of a prayer from our Faith in Foodbanks resource. …
“Prayer is a Revolutionary Act”
Rachel Lampard reports back from the Labour Party Conference, 22nd - 25th September 2018: “Bring biscuits!” This was one of the new Ten Commandments drawn up by Christians on the Left and launched at last week’s Labour Party conference. These commandments, though light-hearted, were conceived …
Who says Christianity and politics don’t mix?
Simeon Mitchell reports on a church leaders delegation to the Liberal Democrat conference. “It’s a party full of real individuals,” commented a seasoned colleague when I imparted the news that I would be accompanying a delegation of Free Church leaders to the Liberal Democrat Party Conference …
Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, the death penalty and concerns around hypocrisy
It is the longstanding policy of the UK to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. But Parliament this week held an emergency debate following the revelation that the Government has compromised this policy. The government intends to provide evidence for a trial in …
Why are we angry?
Rachel reflects on the Anti-Trump Protests which happened all over the country last week. Last Thursday Madalena, Helen and I went out with 250,000 others to register our anger at the visit of Donald Trump to the United Kingdom. We were not angry that he was here in the UK or that the red carpet …
Is that really what it says in the Bible?
Last week, while defending the Trump administration’s immigration policy, Jeff Sessions said: “I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13 to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order… Orderly and lawful …
Addressing climate change need not cost the earth
A church minister once commented that he always made sure he went to meetings of the church Finance Committee, “as that is where the most important spiritual decisions get made.” What we choose to do with our money – and other precious resources such as our time and energy – is a good indicator …