The fall of Boris Johnson gives me some hope that God still has a hand in the political machinations at Westminster, as it emerged late last week that the catalyst for the long-expected decapitation of the Tory party was a sermon given at the Westminster Prayer Breakfast, by Rev Les Isaacs. Sajid Javid stated that it was this talk, which focused on integrity, that finally convinced him that he must resign. He was the first to do so, just before Rishi Sunak; and the two resigning in quick succession triggered the mass wave of resignations that forced Mr Johnson to indicate that he would step down.

Boris is a human being with both many strengths, and many evident flaws (as we all have). I believe that he was, however, put in place by God for a specific time and a specific job – he was quite possibly the only one able to achieve what he did with Brexit. But his own integrity has been shown to be wanting.

Boris ... was, however, put in place by God for a specific time and a specific job... But his own integrity has been shown to be wanting.

Hopeful signs

It is clearly encouraging that, despite events of the last few years, trust, integrity and honesty have been shown to be held in high regard – finally – by the majority of both the public and politicians. It shows that at least some biblical values remain central to our nation. Integrity and truth in politics are not a ‘given’ – they were not part of the world’s pre-Christian values, but have been instilled in us by the biblical heritage we have built up. It is interesting that at least one of the candidates for PM, Kemi Badenoch, has quoted the Bible – saying the truth would set us free (closely mirroring Jesus’ statement in John).

(It is also incredibly encouraging to see the number of minority ethnic candidates, all of whom have stood upon their own not-insubstantial merits, rather than a short-list based on positive discrimination).

The candidates and social attitudes

It is incumbent upon the Church to now pray that God’s hand would be upon the process of choosing a new leader. How to pray, and whom to pray for, in particular, can be a tricky business.

Kemi [ Badenoch] alone seems to recognise the danger that identity politics poses this country.

Issues of tax (and even Brexit) aside – which the mainstream media and the Conservative party are focusing on – how do the various candidates stand on other key biblical and controversial issues? Are any of them people of faith?

Christian Concern has put together a helpful summary of the candidates’ voting records on many key issues, considering issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, mandatory vaccination and assisted suicide. On balance, on this track record alone, Kemi Badenoch comes out top – indeed, Kemi alone seems to recognise the danger that identity politics poses this country. Lowest on the list is Penny Mordaunt – “a vocal supporter of banning conversion therapy and with the most pro-abortion record too.”

We could also consider the candidates’ faith – Tom Tugendhat is a Catholic, and Kemi Badenoch is married to a Catholic. She has a Christian background – apparently her grandfather was a Methodist minister – and she describes herself as ‘a cultural Christian’. Rishi Sunak is a Hindu. (Suella Braverman, ousted yesterday, is a Buddhist).

Attitudes to Israel and the Jews

How the candidates stand on Israel has been harder to find out. None of them are outspoken critics – Liz Truss in particular has spoken very warmly of the Jewish state, and seems to be very pro-Israel. Tom Tugendhat had a Jewish grandfather. He has written a couple of blog posts in Jewish News, in one of which he shares how once in Parliament, his Austrian Jewish name caused him to face the reality of anti-Semitism in ‘liberal’ Britain.Liz Truss

In a speech to the Commons, Rishi Sunak spoke warmly of the Jewish population in the UK: “Despite only ever forming a small percentage of the population, British Jews have shone in almost every field. They have inspired and entertained, created and innovated.” Kemi Badenoch has written in The Jewish Chronicle of the horrors of the Holocaust and the importance of remembering it. She has also spoken out about the BDS stance of Ben & Jerry’s.

Penny Mordaunt has also spoken up on anti-Semitism. However, as International Development Secretary in 2019, she was urged by Conservative Friends of Israel to take a tougher line over the Government’s financial support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) – in particular, the “troubling” failure to recognise explicitly that Hamas was a terrorist organisation, noting that there was no “recognition of [Hamas’s] harmful impact upon the people of Gaza”, noting that it was “improper” for the Secretary of State to refer to a “political conflict between Hamas and Israel”.

CFI argue that this “wrongly implies that there is a parity between the two parties”. This demonstrates that, even as International Development Secretary, Ms Mordaunt was unable to recognise the complexities of the situation and was unable to adequately fulfil her brief on this most important of matters.

Candidates’ views on other issues, such as religious freedom, preventing persecution abroad, and international aid, Prophecy Today is yet to research.

Even as International Development Secretary, Ms Mordaunt was unable to recognise the complexities of the situation and was unable to adequately fulfil her brief on this most important of matters.

Serious concerns

Penny MordauntAll of the above data point to certain concerns about Penny Mordaunt, in particular (Andrew Pierce in the Daily Mail outlines more concerns, particularly over her support for trans rights, her capability and work ethic, inconsistencies in her campaign, and her vision for Britain as outlined in her book, endorsed by Bill Gates in its forward, and lauded by Tony Blair). However, nothing is ever cut and dry. Recent research has shown that 1 in 5 women who have had an abortion have said that the cost of childcare was their primary reason, with 60% saying that it was a significant factor. Penny Mordaunt has made some promises about improving access to childcare. It would be curious if a pro-abortionist, by simply reducing the cost of childcare and thus removing one of the major factors that lead women to choose abortion, was the one to inadvertently cut abortion numbers in this country, saving thousands of innocent lives… However, no details of this pledge have yet emerged.

Let us pray that God will be at work in choosing our new Prime Minister – and will guide them through the gargantuan task that lies ahead.