“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour…” (1 Tim 2:1-3a)

Endless complaints

I’m writing this in advance of the election results being announced. Yet somehow, whatever the result, the message is the same.

For weeks or months, or, to be realistic, years, I have read and heard seemingly non-stop criticism of the Tories, from people both on the left and the right of the political spectrum. Some of it has been deserved, without doubt. I even joined in for a while during the lockdown period.

No one is, or should be, immune from criticism. Yet no one gets everything right. This is a fact of life. We are not perfect; neither should we expect our leaders to be. So many of the critics I heard were Christians. Yet, many of them failed to uphold in prayer those same people they were criticising.

So many of the critics I heard were Christians. Yet, many of them failed to uphold in prayer those same people they were criticising.

Pray and give thanks

But whether we find ourselves on the same political wavelength as those in charge, or whether what they stand for is the opposite of our views, we still have the same exhortation from God’s word instructing us in what we should do – that we should pray for – and give thanks! – for those in authority.

Being politically engaged can be good and helpful – for those who are so inclined. The vast majority of those who go into politics do so because they want to make things better.

But everyone has different ideas on how this could be achieved. (If you ever want to ask me, I have some fantastic ideas!) Not all of these ideas put forward by political groups will work – and some will only work in certain conditions.

Working together

All the parties have ideas that, in reality, need, at the very least, serious checks and balances.

For example, the Greens have a great idea for a Universal Basic Income – this sounds amazing in theory, but, like Communists of every ilk, they fail to take into account the laziness of human nature. Any such plan would require incredibly careful thought to avoid a complete disaster, as many people would give up work altogether.

The vast majority of those who go into politics do so because they want to make things better.

Labour wants to distribute wealth more – a laudable ambition, as no one likes to see people in poverty – but they overlook the fact that incentives are a better driver of wealth creation and ambition than handouts. If people see little personal benefit of working hard, they cease to put in significant effort. Any such plan requires enough incentives to be in place to reward effort and enterprise.

The Conservatives recognise the need for a deterrent to stop migrants boarding unsafe boats to cross the channel – but Rwanda, whilst doing well economically, is still a place that represses political dissent. The scheme is also phenominally costly and administratively cumbersome. The concept of a deterrant needed a rethink – not necessarily an outright rejection.

I could go on and point out flaws in the ideas of various other groups (but hopefully you get my point).

Yet, each tries to push forward their concepts, seeing simply a direct line of positive impacts of the policy. If they do one thing, they think, then it simply impacts their target – job done.

It can only happen in a positive country that seeks to critique in order to improve, not criticise to put down.

However, every action, policy or message does not just cause a linear impact – but pulls on a web of interconnecting factors, whether economic, social, spiritual or organisational. For the law of unintended consequences is much more powerful than anyone realises.

It takes a variety of people with a vast array of understanding in different areas to tease out what those impacts will be – and perhaps plan to mitigate some of the negative impacts. But that cannot happen easily in a toxic, negative atmosphere where polarised opponents seek to demonise and criticise others. It can only happen in a positive country that seeks to critique in order to improve, not criticise to put down.

The reality is that, with discussion, compromise, and a willingness to listen to others’ points of view, we can actually help to iron out the flaws in ideas.

But if all people do is criticise and tear down, we never get to a place where the best ideas can be put into practice, and the worst ones dropped. And this is not just for Parliament – our government just reflects the country as a whole.

Nevertheless …

Labour won a massive majority today. Personally speaking, they would not have been my choice. Nevertheless, I will pray for them. I will pray that they will govern well and make good choices. Some of us still choose to trust that most leaders care for the welfare of the people of this country, even if they have different ideas on how it should be achieved.

Most leaders care for the welfare of the people of this country, even if they have different ideas on how it should be achieved.

Yet ultimately, the welfare of the country depends on a higher authority still – our loving Father God – as well as on His servants, His Church. So, I will endeavour not to criticise, but to pray first and foremost (and perhaps make positive suggestions to my local MP). I challenge you to do the same.

For, as Christians, if we do not pray first for our leaders, then surely we have no right to criticise.