Adam Smith wrote that there’s a ‘great deal of ruin in a nation’, by which he meant that it takes an awful lot of bungling by political leaders to bring down a state.
Suspicion and mistrust
Over the last few decades the great and the good of the UK seem to have been testing Smith’s proposition to destruction.
Whilst nations can withstand incompetence and bungling, there are few which can withstand the corrosive effects of withdrawal of trust between the governed and the governors. Growing suspicion and mistrust results in ties within society being weakened and finally dissolving.
At one time in Britain the governed and the governors had some respect for each other. We held to certain traditions of fair play and honesty within which we tried, however falteringly, to do our best as a community. That, at least, was what we told ourselves.
We held to certain traditions of fair play and honesty within which we tried, however falteringly, to do our best as a community.
‘Islamophobia’
In the UK today it is increasingly apparent that the governors do not trust the governed. Our political and elite class suspect that ordinary people are on the verge of giving in to the most base of instincts. Whenever there is a Muslim atrocity, politicians and police give us grave warnings about the dangers of Islamophobia. The powers that be clearly expect a rash of attacks on Muslims in retaliation.
That their lack of trust in the British public is misplaced is evident from the reaction to the so-called ‘grooming gangs’ scandal. The epidemic of appalling, mainly Pakistani rape gangs in Rotherham and elsewhere who raped and abused more than 18,700 young white girls, some hardly in their teens, was covered up by politicians, police and social workers. When the full extent of the atrocity emerged, the British people, although disgusted and outraged, were remarkably calm and prepared to let the law take its course.
Nevertheless, we find our new Labour government actively considering the introduction of a definition of Islamophobia which politicians and campaigners say will curtail free speech and would prohibit legitimate criticism of Islam. It is clear that they consider it necessary to police what we say to the extent of hindering perfectly legitimate expressions of concern.
It is clear that they consider it necessary to police what we say to the extent of hindering perfectly legitimate expressions of concern.
Southport murders
Perhaps the most egregious instance of the governors’ lack of trust in the governed has occurred as a result of the riots following the murder of three young girls and knife attacks on eight other children and two adults at a dance class in Southport. We were told that the alleged killer was a ‘17-year-old boy . . . he is originally from Cardiff but now lives in the nearby Lancashire village of Banks’. He was described as having been a 'quiet choir boy' in a local church. We were assured there was no terrorist connection. When people rioted following the attack, it was denounced by MPs who blamed ‘lies and propaganda’ on social media for stirring up hatred.
The prime minister lashed out at the ‘far-right thugs’ who rioted and demanded exemplary sentences. In response Britain’s normally sclerotic legal system sprang into action. Within days ordinary working people who foolishly gave in to a moment of anger and acted shockingly badly have found themselves serving lengthy prison sentences. Childminder Lucy Connolly was sentenced to 31 months imprisonment for a single tweet taken down after a couple of hours when sanity returned.
Then, the day before a contentious Budget, we had the announcement that the alleged killer, the son of immigrants, is also being charged with terrorist offences, viz the production of the poison ricin and possessing an Al-Qaeda training manual. In the prevailing atmosphere of mistrust many are left asking how much did the governing class know when they were stigmatising and condemning those who suggested these murders could have been an Islamic terror attack.
In the prevailing atmosphere of mistrust many are left asking how much did the governing class know when they were stigmatising and condemning those who suggested these murders could have been an Islamic terror attack.
Looking after their own
Meanwhile we have had scandal after scandal rising from amongst our ruling elites. There has been the tainted blood scandal where more than 30,000 NHS patients were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C. The Grenfell Tower disaster where builders, local authorities and fire services knew the cladding was dangerous and nothing was done until 72 people died. The Post Office scandal in which thousands of innocent sub-postmasters had their lives ruined.
What connects these scandals other than the incompetence of our governing bodies? None of those responsible have been punished, lost their jobs and pensions. Despite all the deaths and ruined lives, not one of those in authority has served a day in prison. Is it any wonder that people begin to lose trust in a governing class who clearly looks after their own and scorn the governed?
Welby’s wokeism
In this atmosphere, Christians must ask if we can trust our church leaders. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, has just sent greetings to Hindus. ‘A very happy Diwali to all who are celebrating today. I hope it is a time of joy and togetherness as you mark this festival of lights. May the light of Diwali bring hope, peace and unity to your homes and to our communities, reminding us all of the power of light to overcome darkness.’
Ordinary Christians know that the apostle John was clear about the true source of light, Christ Jesus: ‘In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ (John 1:3). We know he meant Jesus when he wrote: ‘The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world’ (John 1:9).
Is it any wonder that people begin to lose trust in a governing class who clearly looks after their own and scorn the governed?
In Diwali, the Hindu ‘Festival of Lights’, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Kali, the goddess of time, doomsday and death, are worshipped. Many other gods such as Durga the mother goddess, Tama god of death and justice, Ganesha the god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles are also worshipped.
To add insult to injury Archbishop Welby, the leader of one of the largest Protestant traditions, sent his no doubt well-intentioned greeting on October 31. This is the day known to Protestants as Reformation Day when we remember Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg marking the beginning of the Reformation. Welby had no greetings for Protestants.
When we consider the gaps between leaders and led, governors and governed are we surprised that mistrust is growing?
The Rev. Dr Campbell Campbell-Jack is a retired Church of Scotland minister; now a member of the Free Church of Scotland. Check out his many incisive articles on his blog, A Grain of Sand.
