In the light of the recent (Nov 2025) budget, much has been written about the decision to lift the two child cap on benefits. There has been political point scoring around the prime minister saying a year ago that he’d like to lift it but that the country can’t afford to, to now saying he […]
Why the Left Get Welfare Wrong Read More »
It seems that every child utters these famous words, ‘it’s not fair’, and whether or not the particular event which has caused the out pouring is or isn’t indeed ‘fair’ the instructive point on this is that the child inherently believes that fairness is something which exists and should be applied. Parents facing these words
Last weekend I attended a 2-day conference hosted by Ideas Matter discussing the topic entitled ‘Civilisation Under Siege?’. There was a range of interesting speakers addressing the topic from a number of different angles and plenty of opportunities for attendees to share their own views and perspectives to enter into the discussion. Naturally, the questions
Civilisation Under Siege? Read More »
I was recently discussing politics in general terms over tea with someone who was, thoughtful articulate and eloquent, but with whom I had little in common in terms of political leanings. At one point he observed that he found it difficult to understand how Christians could be Conservative, and moreover this was in part because
In support of Conservatism Read More »
Luke 23:7-25 records Jesus’s ‘trial’. In this passage it is easy to be struck by just how fresh this scene is – the characters are so easy to relate to, and indeed I submit to you that the various responses to Jesus and the gospel are completely unchanged over the course of the last 2,000 years. It opens up
We’re on the jury at Jesus’s trial Read More »
Britain’s history is long, varied and complex and makes for fascinating and interesting study. Many history classes start with William’s invasion in 1066 for good reason; but our history goes deeper than that of course and being a northerner living in Durham I enjoy reading and learning a little about the early northern saints –
Why Britain is Great Read More »
There has never been a shortage of issues which will cause an outpouring of disapproval and upset amongst the public. Recent times are no exception with the current groups in the headlines being the pro-Palestine protests and the ongoing protests from the ‘Just Stop Oil’ and far right groups. This blog post isn’t going to
Protests – yes, no, sometimes? Read More »
I mentioned in my article on ‘Faith and Politics’ that there is such a thing as Truth, and that seeking and discerning such truth is both possible and important. This is not a philosophy blog or website, and therefore not the place for a lengthy discussion on the arguments and reasons for affirming absolute truth, but
Truth is not relative Read More »
The concept of universal human rights is relatively recent and wouldn’t have been accepted in most cultures in most of history, but it’s well ingrained today as part of what it means within western liberal societies, and we’ve grown up with universal human rights largely accepted as fact. But there is a continuous debate and
Rights & Responsibilities Read More »
2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his
Philippians 2 – Our attitudes Read More »
Tax policy is a hotly debated topic and highly complex. This post is not at all seeking to be comprehensive, but rather to raise some questions that I’ve been working through in my own mind. Throughout history it can be seen how tax policy shapes behaviour either through deliberate design or by unintended consequence. The
Should income tax be abolished? Read More »
It is often said that faith and politics don’t mix; but I will argue that such a statement is not only at best simply untrue, but at worst is deceptively misleading. I don’t think it is contentious to state that everyone has a set of beliefs or understanding of how things should or should not
Faith and Politics? Read More »
There is no incontrovertible statement or proof which can lead us to say that either democracy, or autocratic dictatorship, is fundamentally right or wrong. We can however, say which sort of system we prefer, or which we believe will deliver better outcomes for a country’s citizens (as an aside defining ‘better’ in this context is far
The Role of Government Read More »
There are many passages in the bible exhorting particular behaviours or attitudes, but few, if any are as challenging as when Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Nothing should be done out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility everyone should consider other better than themselves. Each person not looking to their own interests,
Servant Leadership Read More »