Uncle Arthur - On the Radio

Last week on the eve of the Prime Minister's first cabinet Uncle Arthur was asked to speak briefly to a radio station to speak about his new team.

This was a great opportunity albeit to a limited audience to raise the standard for credible christian engagement in politics. I briefly inferred that there would be fresh faces in the new cabinet, he had a cluster of talented junior ministers, some of whom would be promoted. I referred to Liam Byrne, Andy Burnham, James Purnell, Yvette Cooper, Ed Miliband and I guess Ed Balls fits in what that generation. Also, although some experienced people were understood to be on their way (Beckett, Reid Hewitt) there would be a delicate balance of youth and experience.

However, I was particularly pleased to be able to talk about the significance of this moment for the church. Whatever the reality of the 'Son of the Manse' really means, christians should see this as an opportunity. The government have been a bit ham-fisted in dealing with faith issues, sometimes being aggressively secular and on occassions arrogant. Within Brown's worldview is an openness to what faith can and should contribute in the public square. Equally, the church needs to find a credible, biblical and positive way to engage in politics. We need to be involved, speaking into the system and not screaming at it, which sometimes happens. For some christians, it is the time to have their calling affirmed, for politics should be seen as public service and for the christian a clear consequence of seek th extend the kingdom of God.

The Prime Minister has called for a public life rooted in values. Where did he get that notion from?