Welton

6
Genuine parties
I was at a conference last week as the
details of the new prime minister’s first
cabinet were being announced. Some
of my colleagues were reacting to the
appointments with various emotions
ranging from deep approval, through
baffled amusement to despair. I can
only guess at where they each were on
the political spectrum but it did strike
me that they must be far more clued
up than me with regard to UK politics.
I knew the members of parliament
by name, but had no real idea about
most of their track records, and didn’t
feel able to express any meaningful
opinion about their appointments
to key government roles. Perhaps I
should be better informed, I thought.
I have never found current affairs TV
programmes to be the most compelling
viewing, but perhaps I should try harder
to understand the extent of the possible
implications of, say, a ‘Brexiteer’ being
appointed Foreign Secretary.
Of course, the whole question of the
relationship between church and state
has been a live topic for some time. Why
should religion (more accurately, the
Christian faith) have a place at the table
of our national politics? It is an old
adage that one should never mix politics
and religion. Nevertheless, bishops sit in
the House of Lords and speak and vote
Welton NEWS
with their conscience. Some years ago, I
knew a Christian MP who spoke of how
difficult it is for him and his Christian
colleagues of all parties to always vote
in line with their beliefs, since they
were always aware that their first duty
is always to represent the wishes and
opinions of their constituents, and the
reality of thrashing out a workable policy
sometimes necessitates compromise.
Still, I for one am glad that they are
there, in the midst of government, to
represent not merely the views of the
church, but the compassionate ideals
of Christ. There are many Members of
different faiths, and of none, who are
motivated to work for a better society,
and we need need every one of them.
And this, I think, points to a more
important reason to have the right
people in the right government jobs, not
because they will make decisions which
agree with my personal political beliefs,
but that they genuinely care and believe
that they are using their influence to
work towards a more just and caring
society.
Andy Burrows
Men’s Breakfast
These informal social events are
organised by Welton and Dunholme
Methodist Church. They are open to
all men, whether churchgoers or not,
interested in a good breakfast and
meeting new friends. Usually we have a
speaker and on a variety of subjects. We
now meet at 8.45am and aim to finish
by approximately 10.15am. Men’s
breakfast is normally held on the third
Saturday of each month. The next one
will be on the 20th August. Anyone
interested, should contact John Ryland
(860823) or David Wilson (861461).