politics & policy
We need more love for our politicians
David Burrowes
Date posted: 29 Nov 2024
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.
politics & policy
No – this is what we learn from William Wilberforce
David Burrowes
Date posted: 1 Apr 2024
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’!
politics & policy
Are you sympathetic to politicians? I doubt it
David Burrowes
Date posted: 1 Jan 2024
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?
politics & policy
Do you pray for our Parliament? Now is the time.
David Burrowes
Date posted: 6 Sep 2024
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
David Burrowes
Date posted: 1 Jul 2024
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.
Kemi Badenoch ‘understands Christian values’
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 2 Dec 2024
David Burrowes, former Tory MP and Co-Director of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, says new party leader Kemi Badenoch understands the importance of Christian values.
‘Kemi Badenoch has grown up in a Christian household and knows about the importance of Christian values as the foundation of family and community life,’ he said. ‘CCF looks forward to helping her renewal of Conservatism by listening to Britain’s faith communities about what the previous government got wrong and what we need to do to put it right.’
news in brief
Felix Ngole
Felix Ngole is taking legal action against a health and wellbeing charity after claiming his job offer as a mental health support worker was withdrawn after discovering his Christian beliefs on marriage.
With the support of the Christian Legal Centre, Ngole is suing Touchstone Support Leeds for religious discrimination. The case was being heard at an employment tribunal in Leeds at the start of April. A ruling has yet to be handed down. In 2019, the Court of Appeal allowed Ngole’s appeal against a ruling that his removal from a university social work course was lawful, after comments made on social media in support of traditional Biblical teaching on marriage.
Eighty enjoy boost in Birmingham
Roland Burrows
Date posted: 1 May 2024
The 14th Birmingham Conference arranged by the committee of Christian Worship was held in March at Ebenezer Chapel, Old Hill, West Midlands.
Up to 80 people attended the conference, where several speakers spoke on a wide range of Scriptures.
What makes a leader? Reflections from the Conservative Party Conference
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.