Thought for the week – Theresa May

It’s been quite a week!  Who’d have thought that by tonight we’ll have a new Prime Minister.  As soon as Mr Cameron vacates No 10 later today Mrs May will move in and now the second female Prime minister in the history of the UK takes up the reigns.  The expected contest between the two contenders for the leadership of the Conservative party came to an unexpected end when Andrea Leadson withdrew her candidacy.   Now, after all, it’s Theresa May’s ‘coronation’ and a summer long campaign for the top job has been avoided.   Then again Jeremy Cobyrn has to face a battle for the leadership of the Labour party.  Despite a vote of no confidence from his fellow parliamentarians it seems that Mr Cobyrn is determined to battle it out.  A challenge to his leadership has been made and now we wait with bated breath to see if his name can go forward without nominations.  If the decision is made by the national executive of the party that his name is not on the ballot paper it’s hard to see how Labour, with increasing grass shoots membership will find any semblance of unity again – we’ll have to wait and see!

The Bible has much to say about those chosen to rule and govern. The prophets of the Old Testament held nothing back when they saw injustice and suffering at the hands of cruel and indifferent rulers.  There were more bad kings and rulers than good in Biblical history and God’s condemnation and judgement came upon them all.  By today our system of democracy gives us the right to remove those who are in power and that’s much better!    It follows then that those elected to lead count this a privilege and do their best to unite and encourage good will and co-operation.  Be it Mrs May or Mr Corbyn or any other political leader, all have the responsibly to work even sometimes across the political divides when needs must.   The future may be uncertain, the political world is seeing dramatic change, leaders come and go and yet the Biblical truth that loving our neighbour and going that extra mile in service and commitment remains the highest calling of political leadership.  Winston Churchill once said that democracy may not be perfect but it’s the best we have – and from the top down we all need to make it work!