In Depth:  David Burrowes

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The UK leadership crisis: Responding Biblically
politics & policy

The UK leadership crisis: Responding Biblically
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

It is extraordinary that after barely two years we are in a similar crisis of leadership in the Labour Government to what we saw in the later years of the Conservative Government.

It brings back painful memories to me, as I was a member of the Executive of the 1922 Committee which governed Party leadership elections. I was one of the “men in grey suits” – although we had women in the Executive and I rarely wore grey! Our task was to let the Prime Minister know the mood of backbenchers and views about issues of the day. It also had the ultimate role of telling the PM when his or her time was up.

Leadership: Abroad and at home
politics & policy

Leadership: Abroad and at home
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

Leadership abroad

I have been reading about a huge war and invasion, involving leaders in Iran and other Middle East regional leaders. Five cities were destroyed and thousands killed in a brutal war.

It happened though over 2,000 years ago and is probably one of the first recorded accounts of war in history – in Genesis 14.

Christ's ambassadors, united by faith across nations
politics & policy

Christ's ambassadors, united by faith across nations
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

Despite not really liking Ferrero Rocher chocolates, I have spent a lot of time over the last five years with ambassadors – first as the former Prime Minister’s Deputy Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, and now as I finish my time as Adviser to the Chair of the Article 18 Alliance of religious freedom envoys.

Ambassadors can be seen in public but rarely heard. Like the best referees or umpires, whom you don’t really notice until after the match that they have done a good job (although the old cricket umpire legend the late Dicky Bird was of course an exception). It is why the recent public criticism around former US Ambassador Peter Mandelson proved fatal to his career.

How should we respond to good news?

How should we respond to good news?
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

I bring you good news!

We aren't used to good news, so much so that back in 1993, the BBC newsreader Martin Lewis complained that there wasn't enough good news being reported. I understand that the BBC responded by setting up a team dedicated to solution-focused news - whatever that means!

Called to pray: In Parliament, in prison and in war

Called to pray: In Parliament, in prison and in war
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

Have you been praying for the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently?

Actually maybe you have, given the Trump self-declared “12 day” war between Israel and Iran. I pray that by the time this article reaches you the conflict in the Middle East will have not escalated into a full-blown global war.

'Diana or Christ?': The 'choice' to give up Christianity or be killed

'Diana or Christ?': The 'choice' to give up Christianity or be killed
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

We have recently moved house and are now putting up some pictures. A favourite is a print of a painting which centres on a young Christian enslaved woman in the Temple of Artemis, dedicated to the goddess Diana.

She was being given a “choice” by Roman soldiers. Will she give up Christianity by offering incense to the statue of the goddess Diana, and gain her freedom or will she refuse and be dragged away by the soldiers to be killed? The caption reads - Diana or Christ? 

Does the Bible agree that 'politics is local?'

Does the Bible agree that 'politics is local?'
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

We've recently had a bunch of local elections, and I was reminded of the famous quote of Tip O’Neill, then US House of Representatives Speaker, that “all politics is local."

A good case though can be made for the prosecution that politics is far from being local but rather national even international as we are now in an era of globalisation, where events in countries like China, Russia and the US have have a big impact on our economics and politics.

Looking for national renewal in politics? Look here
politics & policy

Looking for national renewal in politics? Look here
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

I was at a talk recently given by former Labour MP Jon Cruddas about the importance of Christianity in the Labour Party and socialism and found myself agreeing with almost everything!

Now I am not about to tear up my Conservative Party membership card. However it reminded me how for Christians in politics there is much more which unites us than divides us, and amid polarising political winds it is worth spending a little time exploring these Christian unifying forces.

‘I can’t avoid writing about Donald Trump...’
letter from America

‘I can’t avoid writing about Donald Trump...’
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

I know it’s tempting, but I can’t avoid writing about Donald Trump. Having been at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C., the impact of Donald Trump and how Christians should respond looms large.

So to the US Capitol, where just a week after President Trump’s inauguration the talk of the town was of the first set of executive orders being fired off, calling a national emergency on the southern border to stop illegal migration and USAID freezing all aid programmes.

We need more love for our politicians
politics & policy

We need more love for our politicians
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

Politics at least for the last eight years has been a tale of the unexpected, but what has sadly but not surprisingly been consistent has been the low view the public have for politicians.

In the league table of who you trust, politicians are always in the relegation zone, and this is matched by the growing disinterest and disdain for politics. But Christians, we have to do better and be distinctive in our view of politics, particularly when our politicians let us down.

What makes a leader? Reflections from the Conservative Party Conference

What makes a leader? Reflections from the Conservative Party Conference
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

I am writing this article on the way back from the Conservative Party Conference, where most of my time was spent with the Conservative Christian Fellowship, who had an exhibition stand at the entrance to the conference hall. The talk of the conference was about leadership.

This has made me reflect not so much upon the qualities of the leadership candidates but upon the distinctive Christian characteristics of leadership, which are needed not just in the Conservative Party but across public life.

Do you pray for our Parliament? Now is the time.
politics & policy

Do you pray for our Parliament? Now is the time.
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

St Paul wrote about its primacy, Christian political greats like William Wilberforce banged on about it and Parliament can’t begin without it. What am I talking about? Prayer of course!

We look on politics and our leaders with a variety of feelings: ranging from a healthy Romans 13 respect to a cynical ‘Have I Got News’ sigh. But do we really pray for them?

A Conservative election view: Building on the past

A Conservative election view: Building on the past
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

As a Christian Conservative I have a realistic view of politics and the role of the state, which leans on the fundamental Biblical understanding of a fallen humanity (Gen. 3) in need of Christ’s redemption.

Conservatives do not use a blank canvas to paint a plan to fit in with the needs of a modern age, nor do we seek to impose an ideological blueprint on society, and certainly not misuse a Biblical one. Rather, Conservatism is the idea that we can build on what needs conserving from the past.

No – this is what we learn from William Wilberforce
politics & policy

No – this is what we learn from William Wilberforce
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

For many Christians in politics the example of Wilberforce in his tireless campaign to abolish the transatlantic slave trade is a model to follow. So too for much of the Christian public as they look to Christian MPs to stand up for their Christian principles.

I recall Ann Widdecombe telling a tale of when she was out campaigning in her old constituency of Maidstone in an open-top car with her loudhailer and a bunch of leaflets entitled ‘My Christian Principles’. Suddenly a big gust of wind blew her leaflets out of the window leading Ann to shout, still with loudhailer to hand, ‘I’ve lost my Christian principles’!

Are you sympathetic to politicians? I doubt it
politics & policy

Are you sympathetic to politicians? I doubt it

David Burrowes
David Burrowes

As you begin to break those New Year’s resolutions, it may make you more sympathetic to politicians trying to keep their promises - but I doubt it.

I imagine for some of you politicians are only good for Christmas cracker jokes or as the villains in panto season. In the ‘who do I trust’ league, politicians are always at the bottom, with the only change being who they are joined by (recently, much to the relief of my former colleagues, pollsters replaced car salesman!). So, do you join with the seasonal, perennial mirth and derision?

Letter

RSE: facts or fiction?
David Burrowes
David Burrowes
Date posted: 1 Jul 2019

Dear Sir,

The article ‘Parents, take back control’ in the May issue of en mixes a correct assertion of parents’ rights to ensure teaching conforms with their religious convictions with an incorrect interpretation of the Government’s new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum requirement. To suggest that the proposals amount to ‘a form of child grooming’ and ‘opens the door to sexual predators’ is, I am afraid, scaremongering and must be challenged.

EU: Let’s leave

EU: Let’s leave
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

David Burrowes MP tells us why he will be voting for Britain to exit the European Union on 23 June

As a politician, my view about the EU referendum is a simple one of keeping a promise – to my constituents before the General Election.

Ofsted - 'not in my youth camp'

Ofsted - 'not in my youth camp'
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

In a letter published in the Telegraph in January, Christian MP David Burrowes responds to the apparent intention of Ofsted to insist on the registration of Church youth groups.

'Last week Open Doors published their World Watch List of the persecution of Christians by country. Christians are all too aware of the increasing threats to religious freedom from militant Islam. So the Government's plan to tackle radicalisation is welcome. However, it is both ironic and wrong to catch Christian groups in a blanket requirement for registration and inspection of "out of school" education of more than 6 to 8 hours a week.

Burma: a church under pressure

Burma: a church under pressure
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

On my flight to Burma in early October, I read a book about the extraordinary life of America’s first foreign missionary, Adoniram Judson.

He survived starvation, imprisonment and torture, alongside watching friends and family die, in his calling to spread the gospel in Burma. One of the highlights of my visit was to find a Gideon Bible in a hotel in Myitkyina, capital of Kachin State. It was a Burmese Bible which was originally translated 175 years ago by Judson.

Confidence booster for parents

Confidence booster for parents
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

Book Review PARENTING AGAINST THE TIDE A handbook for 21st-century parenting

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Marriage: have your say
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

In March a consultation will be launched by the Government to redefine a word — marriage.

The point of the consultation is to find out how best to legislate for same-sex couples to marry. All Christians should be asking their MP by letter, email or in their advice surgery to take a step back and answer why it is necessary to redefine marriage.

Liberty’s roots
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

Book Review FREEDOM AND ORDER History, politics and the English Bible

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A new type of government?
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

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.

Would turkeys vote for Christmas?
David Burrowes
David Burrowes

‘Do turkeys vote for Christmas?’ A general election is not too far away and a letter in EN (August) asked provocatively whether we should vote for any political party if the result was Christians being marginalised and persecuted.

Well, as a Member of Parliament since 2005 and Parliamentary Chairman and co-founder of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, I was duly provoked to respond. Another time I would be pleased to answer specific concerns about party policy, and I am sure politicians from other parties will also have an opportunity in the run up to the general election to make their case if they want to in EN. For now, there is a question which goes deeper about why bother at all about party politics.

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