Well, we have a new government. Actually, unlike many people I don't think it's taken all that long since the election, I know that in some other countries it can take much longer. And again unlike many people I think that since the election all the party leaders have acted properly, and come to a reasonable conclusion. Whether or not the system that got them there is fair is another matter, but at the moment it's the one we've got to use. While I would like to see a different system looked at, in this case I'm not sure it would have made a vast difference to the end result. While there aspects of this government's policy that I really don't like, I can see that it could have been much worse.
But for now we have a government that under the current system can claim legitimacy. Perhaps we don't like its' leaders, or its' policies. But there is one thing that we can and should do, whether we like the government or not, and that is pray. Pray that the politicians will have the best interests of the country at heart and will act for that motive, not for their own aggrandisement or enrichment.
Pray for Gordon Brown, stepping back from a difficult job and for his family, as they adjust to life outside number 10.
Pray for David Cameron, taking on the responsibilities of leading the country, and for his family, as they get used to living inside the goldfish bowl of 10 Downing Street. Pray for the new cabinet members and government ministers as they settle in to their new roles. Pray for Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems who probably weren't expecting as much to be taking their places round the cabinet table!
Pray that the parties can work together for the good of the people of this country and beyond. Pray for greater fairness of opportunity, in healthcare, in education, in employment. Pray for those who influence the media. Pray that the country will not get so caught up in fear of the future that they are unable to do anything in the present.
Searching biblegateway.com for references to government, the passage that struck me was from Daniel, where Daniel's opponents tried to find anything to use to smear him, but were unable to. Daniel 6 shows a court that's scarily reminiscent of modern politics. "Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God." (Daniel 6 verse 5). Wouldn't it be great if we could say the same about our leaders? You'll call me naive, I'm sure, but let's pray that our politicians are more like Daniel, and less like the jealous satraps.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Election fever
Finally, it's polling day. It does seem to have taken a long time to get here, especially when you consider how little we have actually learnt in the last couple of weeks. There haven't been any really radical changes since the first debate when everyone suddenly realised that the Lib Dems had a leader and that perhaps they should pay some attention to him. Since them nothing much seems to have changed. We've known pretty much what all the parties were going to say for some time (apart perhaps from Cameron's 'Big society' but even that is just giving a name to things we've heard about before. Even Bigotgate hasn't really told us anything we don't know.
But somehow today's still a bit special. An election is An Event. A national event. It's rather twee to say that it brings the nation together, but in a way it does. Pretty much everyone you speak to, in shops, in the street, at work, has something to say on the subject. We British are experts at grumbling, so often it's to complain about this or that or all parties or politicians. But at least it's engagement with the political process.
I went to vote about midday, and was glad to see that the polling station was busier by far at the same time of day than it was last year for the European elections or for the local elections a year or two before. Perhaps because it's looking close, the turnout for this election will be higher than in recent years, higher than the last couple of general elections. That perhaps is something positive to take away from this election, whoever wins; that people have been more, even if only a bit more, engaged with politics this time round. Cynics might say this is all down to the 'X-factor' TV debates, and I don't doubt they have had an effect. But even if people are only voting because they think Leader A looks more friendly than Leader B, they're voting, they're taking part, taking responsibility for the givernment of their country. Of course I'd much, much rather they listened to what the leaders were saying, looked at their policies and considered their values. But I'd rather they took some responsibility for their future than none at all, even if I disagree with their choice. That's democracy. Those who can't be bothered to vote* don't have the right to complain for the next five years!
So if you haven't yet and you can, go and vote. For whoever (although please, not the far right!) you think will be best for the country. A century ago I wouldn't have been able to vote- I hope I'd have been chaining myself to railings outside as a protest! Two centuries ago even a lot of men wouldn't have been able to vote due to property qualifications. In many countries people are still denied a say in the government that runs their lives and in others the elections are no more than a sham (think of conflict in Zimbabwe and Kenya over the last few years). However bad and corrupt you may think our politicians are, really we are very very fortunate. Let's show that we don't take it for granted!
*I don't include those who for a reason that's not their fault can't vote. Failing to bother to check you're registered probably is your own fault, though, it's not as if you haven't had enough warning!
But somehow today's still a bit special. An election is An Event. A national event. It's rather twee to say that it brings the nation together, but in a way it does. Pretty much everyone you speak to, in shops, in the street, at work, has something to say on the subject. We British are experts at grumbling, so often it's to complain about this or that or all parties or politicians. But at least it's engagement with the political process.
I went to vote about midday, and was glad to see that the polling station was busier by far at the same time of day than it was last year for the European elections or for the local elections a year or two before. Perhaps because it's looking close, the turnout for this election will be higher than in recent years, higher than the last couple of general elections. That perhaps is something positive to take away from this election, whoever wins; that people have been more, even if only a bit more, engaged with politics this time round. Cynics might say this is all down to the 'X-factor' TV debates, and I don't doubt they have had an effect. But even if people are only voting because they think Leader A looks more friendly than Leader B, they're voting, they're taking part, taking responsibility for the givernment of their country. Of course I'd much, much rather they listened to what the leaders were saying, looked at their policies and considered their values. But I'd rather they took some responsibility for their future than none at all, even if I disagree with their choice. That's democracy. Those who can't be bothered to vote* don't have the right to complain for the next five years!
So if you haven't yet and you can, go and vote. For whoever (although please, not the far right!) you think will be best for the country. A century ago I wouldn't have been able to vote- I hope I'd have been chaining myself to railings outside as a protest! Two centuries ago even a lot of men wouldn't have been able to vote due to property qualifications. In many countries people are still denied a say in the government that runs their lives and in others the elections are no more than a sham (think of conflict in Zimbabwe and Kenya over the last few years). However bad and corrupt you may think our politicians are, really we are very very fortunate. Let's show that we don't take it for granted!
*I don't include those who for a reason that's not their fault can't vote. Failing to bother to check you're registered probably is your own fault, though, it's not as if you haven't had enough warning!
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Do I have a right to vote?
The BBC website today has an article on the effect of religious issues on people's voting. While I thought the article itself stated the situation pretty fairly, one of the comments by a member of the public below it struck me.
"Religion has no place in politics. If religion (of any kind) influences your vote, you should have your right to vote revoked."
Well then, my right to vote would have to be revoked. But why should this be the case? Other commentors cited examples of far-right American politics and the Middle East as examples of why religion and politics should be kept separate. I can understand that. And indeed the idea of people who vote one way or another just because they're told to, without considering for themselves, is something I intensely dislike. Or voting for a candidate just because he or she professes faith, whether or not that's visible in their policies.
But my beliefs do influence my vote. Don't everybody's? Whether you believe in a God or not, in deciding to vote for candidate A or party B in any election you decide based on your beliefs. That might be something like believing that students shouldn't have to pay for tuition fees, that banning people from B&B's because of their sexuality is wrong, that people shouldn't be detained without trial.
My political beliefs are influenced by my religious beliefs. For example, there's plenty in the bible about caring for the stranger within your country, about helping the poor and families in distress. So when I look at who to vote for I look at which candidate or party best reflects these teachings. There's no one party in mainstream British politics at the moment who I agree with on every issue, but I prayerfully consider which I feel is closest to how I believe God would want people to live and the country to be run.
That means Christians have to engage in politics, reading about and listening to candidates, asking questions, trying to see through the spin and publicity on all sides to what the party really believes, what their values are. One of the saddest things I feel about politics is when parties seem to be willing to say or do anything to anything to get themselves elected, rather than standing for principals on an issue.
Of course not all Christians agree on which party best reflects Christian values, because different Christian traditions see different parts of Christian teaching as more important than others and focus on those. For example, one party might loose support from some Christians for focusing on helping people whatever their marital state or sexual orientation, while other Christians will support it for showing Christ's sacrificial, unconditional love to the community. That's a matter of individual choice.
So yes, my faith does influence the way I vote. But I don't see what's wrong with that, since I would hope that everyone votes on the basis of what they believe in (even if it's just that they believe 'the other lot' are wrong). If you were to say that letting your belief affect your vote disqualifies you from voting, you'd be undermining the whole principal of democracy, surely?
PS I wrote on a similar subject last year, if you're interested.
"Religion has no place in politics. If religion (of any kind) influences your vote, you should have your right to vote revoked."
Well then, my right to vote would have to be revoked. But why should this be the case? Other commentors cited examples of far-right American politics and the Middle East as examples of why religion and politics should be kept separate. I can understand that. And indeed the idea of people who vote one way or another just because they're told to, without considering for themselves, is something I intensely dislike. Or voting for a candidate just because he or she professes faith, whether or not that's visible in their policies.
But my beliefs do influence my vote. Don't everybody's? Whether you believe in a God or not, in deciding to vote for candidate A or party B in any election you decide based on your beliefs. That might be something like believing that students shouldn't have to pay for tuition fees, that banning people from B&B's because of their sexuality is wrong, that people shouldn't be detained without trial.
My political beliefs are influenced by my religious beliefs. For example, there's plenty in the bible about caring for the stranger within your country, about helping the poor and families in distress. So when I look at who to vote for I look at which candidate or party best reflects these teachings. There's no one party in mainstream British politics at the moment who I agree with on every issue, but I prayerfully consider which I feel is closest to how I believe God would want people to live and the country to be run.
That means Christians have to engage in politics, reading about and listening to candidates, asking questions, trying to see through the spin and publicity on all sides to what the party really believes, what their values are. One of the saddest things I feel about politics is when parties seem to be willing to say or do anything to anything to get themselves elected, rather than standing for principals on an issue.
Of course not all Christians agree on which party best reflects Christian values, because different Christian traditions see different parts of Christian teaching as more important than others and focus on those. For example, one party might loose support from some Christians for focusing on helping people whatever their marital state or sexual orientation, while other Christians will support it for showing Christ's sacrificial, unconditional love to the community. That's a matter of individual choice.
So yes, my faith does influence the way I vote. But I don't see what's wrong with that, since I would hope that everyone votes on the basis of what they believe in (even if it's just that they believe 'the other lot' are wrong). If you were to say that letting your belief affect your vote disqualifies you from voting, you'd be undermining the whole principal of democracy, surely?
PS I wrote on a similar subject last year, if you're interested.
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