Godliness in politics

As I write, the old adage that a week is a long time in politics could not be more true.

Reflecting just on the death of Lord Mackay of Clashfern, who was a foremost Christian lawyer and politician, would be hard. However to be followed by the tragic news of the death of Anne Widdecombe was dreadful – if it was not for the gift of eternal life which both James and Anne had received and now enjoy.

They both epitomise the distinctive characteristics of Christians in public life – servant-hearted, passionate for truth and justice, full of integrity and fearless campaigners for Christian values and inspired policies.

They also were both founding members of the Conservative Christian Fellowship which I established as a student with Tim Montgomerie. They inspired me into both law and politics.

I recall Lord Mackay writing about being a Christian and a lawyer responding to the call of Micah 6v8: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

As a student I heard about Anne Widdecombe’s tireless efforts to reduce abortion time limits, alongside David Alton, which encouraged me to get politically active with respect for life being a driving motivation.

When I was elected to Parliament in 2005 I was soon thrust into scrutinising a complex bill seeking to legalise human-animal embryo research and push the ethical boundaries. I saw first hand, on the Bill Committee, Lord Mackay’s quiet but effective use of his huge legal brain and winsome advocacy to limit the negative impact of the bill. He had a wonderful ability to make reasoned arguments and find a way through intractable viewpoints.

By contrast, but equally effective, was Anne Widdecombe’s loud impassioned advocacy for respect for life in the Commons which commanded attention from all sides of the House, and tirelessly mobilised support across the UK.

Anne was never about herself and her cause, she was a team player. One time I needed to speak at great length in the closing stages of the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Bill, primarily to avoid amendments seeking to liberalise abortion even further. Anne knew what was happening and rather than wanting the limelight very assiduously made interventions to keep the clock ticking down to successfully avert the liberalising amendments.

We often talk about who will be the next William Wilberforce, and Anne was a modern equivalent with her mastery of advocacy, parliamentary tactics, persistence, and campaigning zeal to uphold human dignity for the unborn.

Both Lord Mackay and Anne Widdecombe, in their different personalities and gifts, are models for Christians seeking public office. As the public thirst for politicians with integrity, authenticity and a clear moral compass, let’s pray that their legacy will encourage more Christians to enter the political fray.

Finally, they would no doubt wish any tribute to deflect away from them. Both Lord Mackay and Anne Widdecombe held themselves lightly, not least with humour as well as a desire without fear or favour to serve others. G.K. Chesterton could have been writing about them when he said “angels can fly because they have learnt how to hold themselves lightly.”

More to the point, both had the assurance of God’s promise in Colossians 3v3: “your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

I will inevitably leave the last words to Anne Widdecombe, who told the story of how she campaigned in her constituency of Maidstone in an open-top car using a loud hailer to amplify her distinctive voice. Anne had a pile of leaflets on the seat of the car entitled “My Christian Principles”. Suddenly a big gust of wind came in to her car and blew her leaflets onto the pavement. Still with loud hailer to hand Anne shouted to her startled constituents: “I’ve lost my Christian principles!”

We thank our and their Lord that both Lord Mackay and Anne Widdecombe never lost their Christian principles, and look forward to seeing both in heaven with Anne now dancing perfectly the Charleston!

● Christian MPs & political figures contribute as believers not party politicians. en does not endorse any one particular party.