My work on immigration policy for a think tank argues for a more open approach to immigration in the UK, but also one rooted in majority public consent and acceptance. The EU Referendum reminded us of the real and important differences in people’s experiences of and worldview around immigration. Those differences are quite natural and… Continue reading Is the UK really polarised on immigration? – by Jonathan Thomas
Category: Politics
‘Truth works’: a lesson for Boris Johnson (and everyone)
Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com The former Australian cricket coach Justin Langer spoke this week about a lunch he had with Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary Manchester United football manager. Within two minutes of meeting Ferguson looked him directly in the eye and said: “Just remember son, truth works…always tell the truth” Langer was… Continue reading ‘Truth works’: a lesson for Boris Johnson (and everyone)
Process, protocol & the problem with the Civil Service
Dominic Raab’s resignation as Secretary of State for Justice and Deputy Prime Minister has led to intense discussion about the relationship between Ministers and the Civil Service. This follows similar controversies around the conduct of Priti Patel when she was Home Secretary. In January this year, I completed a 4 year secondment into the Civil… Continue reading Process, protocol & the problem with the Civil Service
Lineker & refugees: politics, punditry & polarisation
Popular communication today thrives on polarisation. Social media channels are not neutral carriers of unbiased opinion, they are shaped to stoke strong opinions which fuel the shallow politics of our age. The current controversy surrounding Gary Lineker, the BBC and his social media comments on the government’s refugee policies is a perfect example. The government… Continue reading Lineker & refugees: politics, punditry & polarisation
The political roots of the Watch Night New Year church service
Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com The tradition of a New Year's Eve church service was originally started by Moravian churches to reflect on the year that has past and to contemplate the one to come. John Wesley adopted the practice for his Methodist followers. But it was given new significance by African-American communities on… Continue reading The political roots of the Watch Night New Year church service
‘Individual sovereignty is over-stated by the right and underemphasised by the left’
The relationship between social justice and personal responsibility is an inescapable subject in discussions about poverty. Where is the line between what is the state’s responsibility and the responsibility of the individual? Most of the conferences and events I attend focus on ‘systems change’ and how resources are allocated and managed. Focussing on the failures… Continue reading ‘Individual sovereignty is over-stated by the right and underemphasised by the left’
‘Saving Liberalism from Itself’ – by Ian Geary
A review of Saving Liberalism from Itself: The Spirit of Political Participation by Timothy Stacey, 2022 Understanding the contemporary variant of liberalism which dominates the West at this time is an important subject for the Church in order to understand its mission and witness. Liberalism places human freedom at the centre of economics, politics… Continue reading ‘Saving Liberalism from Itself’ – by Ian Geary
Dividing body, soul & spirit: Gnostic heresies live on – by Martin Kuhrt
Photo by Andreea Ch on Pexels.com When I was a student in the 1980s, one of my left-wing, feminist friends said that the Prime Minister of the time, Margaret Thatcher, ‘was not really a woman’. At the time, I laughed it off. But I thought about it again this week when the Labour MP Rupa… Continue reading Dividing body, soul & spirit: Gnostic heresies live on – by Martin Kuhrt
‘A toolbox for peace & liberation’? An activist reads the Bible
Review of Open for Liberation: an activist reads the Bible – by Tim Gee (Christian Alternative, 2022) Tim Gee believes the Bible is chiefly a narrative of liberation for the oppressed. In Open for Liberation, he claims Jesus led an anti-colonial movement of the dispossessed which affirmed women's leadership, racial equality and sexual diversity. Gee… Continue reading ‘A toolbox for peace & liberation’? An activist reads the Bible
Jesus and guns: faith, politics & polarisation
It would be hard to find a more succinct summary of the polarisation of religion and politics than the campaign bus of Kandiss Taylor who is running for Governor in Georgia. Three starred bullet-points tells you all you need to know about her core commitments: Jesus. Guns. Babies. When I first saw this picture, I… Continue reading Jesus and guns: faith, politics & polarisation
Grace + Truth 