On a recent visit to the Navigation I was pleased to bump into the Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman, the MP for Meriden since 1997, but stepping down at this election. Caroline is well known locally, but what is less well known is her role as Second Estates Commissioner, a role that she has held since May 2015, under three different Prime Ministers. The Second Estates Commissioner is appointed by the Queen and has the unenviable task of speaking for the Church of England in the House of Commons!
The CofE has appreciated Caroline in this role. When she announced she was standing down the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said, “Dame Caroline Spelman has been an extraordinary public servant for many years… In following Jesus’s example of servant leadership, she has shown integrity, wisdom and humility. In her role as Second Church Estates Commissioner, Caroline’s advice and support have been unfailing and invaluable, her political courage and determination outstanding. She will be deeply missed…”
Sadly, politicians often have to step down, or die, before people can say nice things about them! Barack Obama observed, “People have a tendency to blame politicians when things don’t work, but as I always tell people, you get the politicians you deserve.” So what do we have to do to deserve good politicians? Here are three suggestions.
1) We need to value truth. It is always temping for politicians to tell people what they want to hear, or to play on people’s fears, or make unrealistic promises. But these behaviours distort truth and lead to policies that can’t be realised. We need to elect politicians who are honest and realistic.
2) We need to value the common good; the things that are good for everybody. When politicians seek the common good, they can work constructively with one another to find agendas that work for everyone. If politicians seek to serve only one type of voter, one social class or one ethic group then they inevitably clash with politicians who serve different groups and the politics becomes dysfunctional.
3) We need to value dialogue. Discussions that draw out and respect the true needs and aspirations of different groups can lead to useful political compromises and trade-offs. TV debates tend to undermine dialogue, because it is more important to win the debate than to find the truth.
With prayers and best wishes, Fr Patrick
A prayer for the 2019 General Election, from the Church of England website
God of grace and truth,
send your Spirit to guide us
as we discover your will for our country.
Help us to discuss the issues before us
with courtesy, truth and mutual respect,
and grant that all who stand for parliament
will seek to serve the common good,
through him who came not to be served but to serve,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.