In Depth:  Gavin Calver

Gavin Calver

Just over two years ago, on 4 July 2024, Sir Keir Starmer led the Labour Party to a decisive general election victory. After 14 years in opposition, the party won 411 seats and a large parliamentary majority, giving him a clear mandate to govern. Yet the honeymoon period was incredibly brief. By the autumn, pressure was already building, and by the summer of 2026 he had stepped aside as Prime Minister.

During much of that same period, Andy Burnham appeared to be flourishing away from Westminster. As Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017, he had built a strong profile, not least during the pandemic, when he was widely dubbed the “King of the North”. A former MP and minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, he had seemed to find a different kind of political voice outside the Westminster bubble.

Gavin Calver

What season are we living in?

Like so many others, I felt disappointed when the findings of the “Quiet Revival” research (commissioned by the Bible Society) were declared as unreliable due to errors made by YouGov who were carrying out the research. The report has been taken down, and many are now understandably questioning what is going on spiritually in the UK? Have we been misunderstanding the moment we are living in?

Gavin Calver

It was great to watch the compelling action of the Ryder Cup golf recently. The incredible unity amongst the European team was so clear to the global audience tuning in as they looked to keep hold of the trophy on American soil.

It had gone so well on the first two days of the competition, but the final day was quite a tense affair as the American team put themselves right back in contention. Towards the end of the final session of play the European team secured the victory, leading to much celebration. The sense of togetherness was wonderful and the unity across all the nations of Europe competing as one was clear for all to see.