There are a number of measures of child poverty and all agree that child poverty is rising. Tonight’s Channel 4’s Dispatches programme “Growing up Poor” gives some of the children affected by poverty the chance to tell their own stories – and is incredibly powerful as a result. It is great …
Politics and Elections
Preaching on the General Election
This December, many church leaders will find themselves with the opportunity to speak with their communities about the General Election. For some, this will be expected, and congregations will be looking for guidance. For others, this will be a step into new territory, and may face hostility from …
Love Pray Vote
As we approach a General Election on 12 December 2019, we’re inviting you to Love, Pray, Vote. But what does that look like? Love “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” John 15:12 Politics plays an important role in how our society is run. It helps to …
Called to bridge the divide: church leaders at the Conservative Party Conference
Delegations of church leaders from the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, the Quakers and the Salvation Army attended the conferences of the main political parties this autumn. Revd Beth Allison-Glenny, Public Issues Enabler for the Baptist Union, reflects on her experience at the …
‘Days of challenge and vulnerability’: church leaders at the Labour Party Conference
Delegations of church leaders from the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, the Quakers and the Salvation Army attended the conferences of the main political parties this autumn. Here, Simeon Mitchell reports on the Labour Party Conference. “It’s just horrendous, there is such an …
Is there a Brexit we can all live with?
Our constitution should enable us to make controversial decisions that we don’t all agree on but are generally regarded as legitimate. For example, I passionately hate the Welfare Reform Act that brought in huge benefit cuts and the disastrous Universal Credit, but I accept that legislation’s …
Meet Your MP – Adventures in Asking & Action (Day 5)
“Listened well… but didn’t change her view” This week we are celebrating some of the stories of congregations from our churches who have taken up the challenge to meet their local MP. Each congregation was able to demonstrate their concerns for the local area, express their hopes and dreams, …
Meet Your MP – Adventures in Asking & Action (Day 4)
“Our MP asked a question in the House of Commons on our behalf” This week we are celebrating some of the stories of congregations from our churches who have taken up the challenge to meet their local MP. Each congregation was able to demonstrate their concerns for the local area, express …
Meet Your MP – Adventures in Asking & Action (Day 1)
“I’ll help serve breakfast!” This week we are celebrating some of the stories of congregations from our churches who have taken up the challenge to meet their local MP. Each congregation was able to demonstrate their concerns for the local area, express their hopes and dreams, and invite …
Brexit, Populism and Universal Credit
“A willingness by politicians to say what they think the public want to hear, and a willingness by large parts of the public to believe what they are told by populist politicians, has led to a deterioration in our public discourse” Justice Secretary David Gauke, 3rd July 2019 In 2010 the …