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is politics broken?
Revelations about MPs’ expenses have seriously damaged the British public’s view of its politicians. We asked Labour politician Stephen Timms MP and church leader Dr Jonathan Oloyede to discuss whether politics is now broken and how it can be repaired.
Dear Stephen
Like millions of others across the country, I have been alarmed by recent revelations about MPs’ expenses. The issue has created a deep distrust of politicians, and I am concerned about the impact that it will have on our political system.
Lenin said politics is Kto-Kgo (Russian for “who could do what to whom”); the political scientist Harold Lasswell said it is about “who gets what, when and how.” My definition is that politics is about effective and godly leadership in the public and governing spheres of society. I believe in the ancient biblical principles that underpin our modern British civilisation. But contemporary politics seems to be a game of words, oratory and wits, rather than exemplary ethics and good leadership.
Perhaps we should not be asking ourselves, “is politics broken?” but rather, “is modern Britain broken?” As the Bible states, a good tree produces good fruit while a bad tree reproduces bad fruit. Just dealing angrily with our MPs and enforcing Parliamentary reforms is like treating headache induced by bowel cancer with just paracetamol! When Jesus was confronted with a woman caught in adultery and a self-righteous mob out to stone her, his response was: “he that is without sin; let him cast the first stone.” We should be guided by Jesus' teaching that we should remove the plank from our own eye before picking the speck from our brother's.
Yet this does not exonerate MPs in any way. Leadership is exactly what it says on the tin! Positions of authority in a democratic nation are simply probation terms based on trust. Political leaders should be held accountable by their constituents to deliver sound governance laced with integrity, trust and respect.
Stephen, help me here. Am I asking for too much if I say I would like to see men and women of sound moral codes leading in politics? The intrinsic values of our Judeo-Christian heritage run deep within the fabric of our laws, norms and ethics. Why are we not proud of these and celebrate them publicly? Why can’t we have men and women of great passion and conviction like William Wilberforce or Elizabeth Fry, who can weave the delicate looms of faith and public service into one fabric of dynamic leadership? Perhaps local and central government should take a leaf from the principles of transformation happening at local community level with many unsung heroes of the local church?
Thank you for being willing to discuss this topic with me. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Jonathan
Dear Jonathan
Thank you for your comments. I know you have a wealth of experience in leading local community projects, and so I welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you.
I agree that recent media reports about MPs' expenses have damaged confidence in our political system. Many people have begun to doubt that their elected representatives are truly in it for the good of their communities. Yet whatever the failures of some, there are many who still have great records of selfless public service. The new system of regulation will demand higher standards and do away with failed self-regulation, and a new code of conduct will ensure MPs declare second jobs.
But while inspection and regulation will help, you are right to expect more from politicians. You highlight William Wilberforce and Elizabeth Fry as examples, and note that their faith drove their political activism. How to achieve this goal of better politics is a challenge for everyone. It is as much a challenge for the church as for political parties.
How do we get from the impressive models of service by churches – highlighted by Hope 2008 last year – to active, wider participation in politics and community life? There is a particular responsibility on the church. We must ask ourselves: how often is political service promoted as a high calling and opportunity to love our neighbours? Political service provides great opportunities to put our faith into action. I hope the church sees this current low point as an invitation to become more involved. Critics of course point to failure and poor judgement in political leadership. But, as you know, leadership is not an easy task; despite the best intentions, people will be unhappy with some decisions.
There will be controversy because that is the nature of our human condition. But it is a strength when people can vote on who our leaders should be. It is also a strength that allows every citizen to be involved and not to walk past on the other side. So I see opportunity within this crisis. Millions of church-goers take part in important campaigns like Make Poverty History, or projects like Soul in the City. My question to you is: how can we encourage more Christians to bring the same positive influence to bear in political life?
Stephen
Dear Stephen
I am quite delighted by your response and your challenge. Public responsibility and engagement is part of my own journey as well. I often ask the question: how do we get from our knees in prayer and onto our feet in action?
It is our biblical mandate to engage in public policy and society. The Prophet Jeremiah articulates this for us: “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace”. (Jer 29:7) This practical theology needs vocalising from many more pulpits and taught to more practitioners in public life.
Politicians need divine inspiration to function. Wilberforce was urged on by Newton, and Martin Luther King was no doubt influenced by his Baptist heritage. The foundations of the Labour Party are imbued with Christian ethics and characters, including Keir Hardie (a converted atheist), and the Socialist Christian League. In my opinion, when faith marries politics, the offspring is social transformation.
Contemporary clergy need to develop a more holistic approach to the political sphere and market place, encouraging members to engage at local levels in civic and public activities, as well as highlighting social concerns in non-partisan ways. We must affirm and support the brave women and men who sense a call to politics. You, my dear friend, are a prime example. I dare say we need more like you right across the political spectrum!
Jonathan
Dear Jonathan
Your response is encouraging because you’re excited about faith and politics. I like your line: “when faith marries politics, the offspring is social transformation.” I believe that too.
But as anyone with offspring knows, there are long hard journeys before goals are achieved. It was the Dutch Catholic Bishops who described social justice as a “long haul through the institutions.” So Christians are still working for transformation in the Labour Party and we are making progress. Since 1997, poverty has been reduced, the rise in inequality has levelled off, school standards are high and rising and crime on our streets has fallen. When you say social transformation, I say this is what it looks like.
But there is more to do. Too many children still grow up in poverty - both in Britain and around the world. Christians in Labour will continue to support our Child Poverty Bill going through Parliament now – and our growing commitment to international development.
We are also doing more obvious Christian activity. I welcome the growing numbers of young people involved in CSM and their regular prayer and action. The Labour Party website now has a faith page and we publish “Church Updates” to build our dialogue with Christians (labour.org.uk/faith).
Christians are following in Keir Hardie’s footsteps in today’s Labour Party, involved in social transformation. And with your help we may be able to achieve much more yet.
Stephen
Dear Stephen
Thank you for your kind words. I hope that central and local government will better engage the local churches in the long haul towards transformation. At a grassroots level, I hear more grumblings and unease than fulfilment. I would not be honest if I did not say that many Christian leaders are challenged by some legislation being passed by this government.
The statistics around family life, household finance, teenage pregnancies, domestic violence, alcohol-related vices, racist undercurrents, and gun and knife crime are disturbing. Many would say our nation is in crisis; I would say she is fractured in many places.
There is hope, and like you I am an optimist with a firm grip on reality. Stephen, please tell your colleagues in Parliament that there is no reason to be awkward about or afraid concerning the Christian faith in public life. I promise to do the same with church leaders. Deal or no deal?
It’s been nice chatting with you.
Jonathan
Dear Jonathan
I am happy to take you up on your suggestion. I think that if you met many of my colleagues you would be surprised by their openness to working with churches and other faith-based projects. Certainly, I hope that churches will play an increasing role in British public life. You are correct when you write that serious challenges remain in our communities. But many of these challenges are precisely those that churches are rising to meet.
Earlier this year I delivered a major speech for the think-tank IPPR on the theme of these faith-based projects. I argued that they provide a powerful model of “hope” in action that we politicians can learn from. If we do, I believe that we can succeed in building a politics that is itself based on “hope.” Perhaps that could provide just the sort of remedy we are looking for to restore the health of our politics.
Stephen
The Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP is Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Labour Party Vice Chair with responsibility for Faith Groups
Dr Jonathan Oloyede is Pastor of City Chapel in East London. He is a member of the Evangelical Alliance Council, convenor of the London Global Day of Prayer, and a regular speaker at conferences including Spring Harvest and Soul Survivor.
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