The UK General Election: Encouragements and Challenges for Evangelicals

Ross Hendry

The dust has now settled on the UK General Election. A new Parliament has begun with 350 of the total 650 members of parliament new to the green benches of the House of Commons. The Labour Party has a majority of 411, with the next largest party, the Conservatives on 122 – the lowest number of MPs they have returned in modern times.

There is little sentimentality in politics; honeymoons are short-lived, and history is quoted and used selectively. But we should pause for thought on a few significant encouragements and challenges to emerge during the campaign. I want to suggest six for us to reflect on and pray into.

THE ENCOURAGEMENTS

1. Moments of civility and grace, although rare, were apparent at key junctions in the campaign. We should give thanks and celebrate these. Both Rishi Sunak’s speech on departing Downing Street and Kier Stammer’s upon his arrival, were standouts in their graciousness and generous tone and content. But perhaps the loveliest example was that of former Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt’s daughters, who left a note for Kier Stammer’s children on navigating life in Downing Street. Perhaps an example of the young teaching the old how to behave (Eph 4:29; Col 3:13).

2. “Resetting politics” was on the winning side. The new Prime Minister made “resetting politics” a central part of his campaign, arguing politics ought to be orientated around principles of service and integrity. We must never be deluded into thinking there was a golden age in politics, but neither should we ignore the reality that standards in public life, especially at the very top of government, have declined significantly in the last seven years. We should grieve this and be first amongst those to support and encourage the importance of high standards in public office (Phil 2:3-7; Rom 13:4).

3. There are newly elected Christian MPs across all the main political parties. This is an important and wonderful characteristic of UK politics. As a number of biblical positions on social issues become increasingly difficult to hold openly, we must welcome the arrival of fellow believers and work to maintain an authentic Christian voice across the political spectrum.

THE CHALLENGES

4. A lack of vision for the common good combined with “message discipline” led to many important topics being ignored or avoided during the campaign. However, this does not mean that topics like assisted suicide, freedom of religious belief and speech, or gender identity will not be discussed or even legislated over the next five years. Similarly, many parties wanted to deny any link to an “ideology,” preferring to emphasise their technocratic credentials and pragmatism. We should seek and support good government, but also desire to know what kind of country our government strives to create, and how that compares to God’s vision for our flourishing (Prov 29:18).

5. Abuse, threats, intimidation, and falsehood were alarmingly widespread during the campaign. Beyond milkshakes being thrown at Nigel Farage were other alarming stories of deep fake videos, violence against property, and threats to candidates’ personal safety. This was often linked to the issues of immigration and the Israel-Gaza conflict. We have a role to play as peacemakers and speaking out against such actions that, no matter the strength of feeling, are never justified.

6. Turnout was low. Only 52% of the adult population voted – that is the lowest turnout since universal suffrage was introduced in 1928. Christians should vote and take our responsibility and privilege to do so seriously. There are many biblical reasons why it is important for us to be politically and biblically literate. The Bible does not advocate for any one form of government or political system, but we should seek to uphold democracy and democratic institutions as the best means of safeguarding many of our rights as citizens.

In the aftermath of the election many political commentators suggested that the result reflected the defeat for the Conservative Party more than a victory for Labour, and the new volatility of the electorate who over the last two elections seem to have shown their ability to shed tribal loyalties. Both these trends offer challenge and opportunity in equal measure, and it is good for us to meditate on our relationship with our new authorities as we seek to be faithful in respecting and honouring government leaders (Rom 13:7); submitting ourselves to the government and obeying its laws (Rom 13:1–5; 1 Pet 2:13–14); and praying for our political leaders (1 Tim 2:1–2).

Ross Hendry is CEO of the social policy charity CARE (Christian Action Research and Education).