A new type of government?

EN: Do you think coalition government carries the same authority in the country as a government by a single party which has clearly won the election?

DB: As far as the country is concerned, the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition has the combined figure of 60% popular support. This provides more popular authority than any single party would realistically be able to achieve. More important is the authority gained from two parties working together which I feel matches the public desire for politicians to be less tribal, working together in the national interest as we face severe problems in the economy and society.

I believe that David Cameron has a strong authority which has been in evidence already by being able to press on with electoral and constitutional reform and also marking his first Prime Ministers Questions with a firm commitment to marriage.

EN: What gives you confidence that the coalition will last?

DB: The Prime Minister has the required skills to navigate through the uncharted waters of coalition government. The coalition agreement is not a mishmash of two sets of policies, but has at its foundation solid agreed principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility. The agreed focus on cutting the deficit early also provides confidence that the coalition will last the five year fixed term.

Christian influence

EN: From the election results and from your viewpoint as Chairman of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, do you have any idea whether the number of Christians in Parliament has increased?

DB: There has been a significant increase in the number of Christian MPs. It is greatly encouraging to see more men and women who are serious about their faith and calling to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

EN: Are you any more hopeful that Christians will be able to make a distinctive contribution in this new ‘consensual’ politics?

DB: A Christian MP can and should be distinctive whatever the type of government or politics. Christian MPs often have good relationships with Christian MPs from other political parties and are therefore well placed to work with colleagues across the political divide. There is a great need to restore the public’s trust in Parliament and Christian MPs can take a lead in speaking and acting with truth, honesty and integrity.

EN: You have been involved in suggesting alternatives to the previous government’s drive on embryo research. Will the new government give time for these (as some would see it) more ‘fringe’ considerations when there are weightier issues to tackle?

DB: Sadly, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act is now law, transgressing the fundamental principle of respect for human life. The way forward is to promote alternative and ethical stem cell research which will make the legislation unnecessary.

The Government will be looking for value for money across the field, which will include research. Given the outcomes from treatment using umbilical cord blood and adult stem cells, I am hopeful that it will make both financial and ethical sense to move away from embryo research. It will be left to MPs through private member’s legislation to propose amendments to the Abortion Act. There is also the prospect that the new intake of MPs may be supportive of extending the minimum time limits for abortion.

Tackling poverty

EN: Which issues from the Centre of Social Justice policy are you hoping will come to the fore, given Iain Duncan Smith’s cabinet position?

DB: Iain Duncan Smith (IDS) is in a crucial position as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. There are few, if any, politicians better placed and equipped to tackle the significant issues of poverty, welfare dependency and pensions. He will be able to draw upon the work conducted by the Centre for Social Justice in recent years and the understanding they have gained about the causes of poverty in this country.

He will be looking to simplify the benefits system and release people from the trap of state dependency. Incentives will be built into the benefits system to move people away from benefits and into jobs. He will also be pushing forward the plan to remove the couple penalty in the tax system, alongside the plan to recognise marriage in the tax system. This highlights the Coalition Government’s vision to make Britain a family friendly nation. IDS understands that if we are to tackle poverty in the long term we need to tackle breakdown in the family. An early initiative has been to appoint the Labour MP Frank Field, who will have another opportunity to do what he was unable to do under the previous government which is to ‘think the unthinkable’ on welfare. This will no doubt involve a greater commitment to early intervention for families at risk of social exclusion.

Pray for wisdom

EN: What should Christians be praying for the new government?

DB: Pray for the same wish of King Solomon at the start of his government: that Members of Parliament might seek the wisdom to discern right from wrong.

* At a time when difficult decisions will be have to be made to cut the financial deficit and make changes across government, reactions may be extreme. Pray for order emanating from Government.
* Pray for wisdom for all those in authority — both for those with ministerial positions and those on the backbenches that they would be able to serve their constituents well and play their part in the processes of the House of Commons, restoring trust in Parliament.
* Pray for new MPs as they find their feet and get used to being a Member of Parliament.
* Pray for Christians working for politicians or for Parliament itself, that they might be good witnesses to the gospel in their work.
* Pray that the Coalition Government will have a good understanding and respect for the Christian community. Pray for Andrew Stunell, a Liberal Democrat MP and a Christian, who is the Minister with particular responsibility for faith.
* Pray the words that are used in the House of Commons at the beginning of each day: ‘Lord, the God of righteousness and truth, grant to our Queen and her government, to members of Parliament and all in positions of responsibility, the guidance of your Spirit. May they never lead the nation wrongly through love of power, desire to please, or unworthy ideals but laying aside all private interests and prejudices keep in mind their responsibility to seek to improve the condition of all mankind; so may your kingdom come and your name be hallowed. Amen’.

Interview with Christian MP, David Burrowes