Change from on High? Alastair Campbell and God
"We don't do God," replied Alastair Campbell, when Vanity Fair asked Tony Blair about his religious beliefs. (It's Campbell, after all, who moves in mysterious ways...)
All the same, it doesn't stop the Prime Minister from holding them. Some fear his messianic streak; others thank God he's no burning Bush. But Blair certainly believes we'd all benefit from some divine intervention.
In 1994, he told Third Way that 'there was a tendency at one time to think that people could live in a spiritual and moral vacuum, that you could simply stop teaching these types of values ...
'I think we have a more hard-headed understanding now, that these values have to be taught and learnt.'
The private Christian beliefs of several Cabinet members have certainly contributed to the shaping of public policy throughout Labour's longest innings (however you judge their outcome).
But now, the PM has chosen to bring faith more overtly to the heart of politics, inviting Christian organisations (such as the EA) and other 'faith groups' to play a more central role in the development of Home Office policy through the newly formed Faith Community Liaison Group. The Observer described this as 'a decisive break with British traditions that religion and government should not mix'.
The group's chair, Fiona Mactaggart, said that the task is to 'consider the most effective means of achieving greater involvement of the faith communities in policy-making and delivery.' Could things change for good?
Meanwhile, in the blue corner, Iain Duncan Smith last week appointed Tim Montgomerie, head of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, to act as his chief political adviser. Montgomerie - a strongly 'Conservative' Christian - is set to become one of the most influential figures in the party as he helps to shape strategy for the impending general election.
It's enough to make Keith Porteus Wood, of the National Secular Society, curse the gods. The Tories have promoted a 'Bible basher' (his words) to a crucial role, while Labour, he suggests, are making those who are 'non-religious feel alienated and excluded from the political processes that help shape our society.' Saints alive.
It's not for the faithful to gloat, however. We could pray, perhaps, that those in frontline politics, of whatever hue, resist the urge simply to 'do' God; but act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with him instead.
Brian Draper
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