A collective sigh of relief rolled across the United Kingdom this week when our Parliament finally passed a vote calling for its own demise. The most divided and dysfunctional Parliament in modern history, whose antics have been televised to the world, finally agreed on something: like turkeys voting for Christmas they accepted the inevitability that their end was in sight.
It was not without a fight and many either voted against or abstained, fearing the end of their Parliamentary careers for one reason or another. For many, including the Speaker, there was a note of finality as MPs proceeded through the lobbies for the last time.
Today, when we should have been celebrating (or bewailing) our freedom from the European Union, we are, instead, facing five weeks of being bombarded with opinion polls – which I hate! – hustings, TV debates and door-to-door political pundits.
The question we are now facing is, will the new Parliament be any better than the old Parliament? It reminds me of something said by Donald Soper, the great Methodist outdoor preacher, speaking on Tower Hill. A persistent heckler was shouting abuse at the clergy. Soper’s response was, “The trouble with the clergy is that we’ve only got the laity to recruit from!”
In the same vein we could say, “The trouble with Parliament is that they have only got the public to recruit from!” Parliament is a reflection of the nation. If the nation is divided and rebellious, that will be reflected in the Parliament it chooses. That is what we have been suffering from in recent years and what could define our politics for some time to come.
Painful Division
Members of Parliament are chosen by small local groups of community activists and put forward for election. Candidates are usually completely unknown to the vast majority of voters. So, just a handful of people in each constituency are really responsible for choosing who will serve in our Parliament. But that is our form of democracy.
If we elect a divided, rebellious Parliament, it reflects a divided, rebellious nation. The 2016 Referendum showed that the nation was almost equally divided on the question of whether or not we should leave the European Union. That division is still to be seen right across the country and was heavily represented in the outgoing Parliament, in which Remainers were determined to do all they could to block the Referendum decision.
If the nation is divided and rebellious, that will be reflected in the Parliament it chooses.
But the nation is not only divided on Brexit: it is fragmented on almost every issue and heavily influenced by a spirit of rebellion. It seems that we cannot rationally discuss anything - from the NHS to social care to climate change - without descending into personal abuse and coming close to violence. This abusive culture has been demonstrated to the world day after day in our Parliament, which many people have found too painful to watch.
It is worth noting that the physical layout of the House of Commons, at the heart of our Parliament, was historically designed for conflict. The two sides of the House confront each other with the distance between measured at two swords’ length. In many other nations parliaments are round. Representatives sit in a circle and not in a confrontational format as in the UK.
Looking Forward
So, will the new Parliament in 2020 reflect a more peaceful, rational assembly, caring for the well-being of the population and discussing all matters from the standpoint of the welfare of the nation?
We all know that the problem with the old Parliament, to which we have just said farewell, lies primarily in the nation’s abandonment of biblical truth. A similar situation existed at the time of the Prophet Isaiah. He said that everywhere in the nation he could see,
…rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived...So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found. (Isa 59:13-14)
We all know that this is quite an accurate description of our own nation where, in a single generation, we have abandoned our centuries-old biblical heritage. Truth has stumbled in our streets – and in our pulpits – and on social media – and in our Parliament! Can we expect anything to improve after the December election?
We all know that the problem with the old Parliament lies primarily in the nation’s abandonment of biblical truth. Can we expect anything to improve after the December election?
Fresh Opportunity
Most Christians have grieved to see the rapid downward spiral of morality in the nation. But instead of flinging up our hands in horror and saying that there is nothing we can do, the forthcoming general election gives us a fresh opportunity of making our witness and declaring the truth of the Gospel.
Christians in Britain – especially evangelicals – are far too reluctant to get involved in politics, which is one reason we are in such a mess today! But with all the modern means of communication at our disposal, there are hundreds of things that Christians can do. Specifically, there are two courses of action open to us that could actually affect the future of the nation through the composition of the next Parliament.
If you are a member of a political party, you could seek to attend meetings of local activists and examine the list of candidates being considered – is there anyone who will uphold biblical standards, who deserves your support? If not, should you yourself get involved, or suggest a friend?
Secondly, we can all influence public opinion in a small way through our day-to-day contacts: in our families, among our friends, what we write to the local newspaper or in the church magazine, and through what we say in our casual conversations with people we meet.
If all the Bible believing Christians in Britain were on fire with the Gospel, it could have a transforming influence on the coming general election: through what we say and do in our personal spheres of contacts with other people; and through Holy Spirit-directed intercession showing us what to pray for and how to pray between now and 12 December. May the Lord have mercy on Britain and may his purposes be achieved for the future of the nation and its place on the world stage.
