Recently, my colleague Fiona Bruce MP held a backbench debate on the contribution of faith organisations to the voluntary sector. Fiona opened as follows: Christians possess a rich heritage of social reform and charitable care which is alive today. In the 19th century, William Wilberforce and Lord Shaftesbury led campaigns for […]
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Tomorrow, an IEA afternoon conference on Christianity, politics, the poor and the planet
Tomorrow, I am speaking at an IEA conference on Christianity, politics, the poor and the planet, addressing Christianity and inequality: Christianity and inequality Churches have always been concerned about the problem of poverty even if there are differences in views about how it should be tackled. However, in recent years, despite inequality […]
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Thought for the day: Do everything without grumbling or arguing
This morning’s sermon was apposite. It was on Philippians 2. Here are verses 1-4: Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, […]
Read MoreDiscover the place of Christmas in the drama of God’s plan to set the world right
This morning at Speen Church, we focussed on Tearfund’s Silent Night Carols. It was a moving reminder of the astonishing peace which broke out during the Great War at Christmas a century ago. We also had time to remember the appalling suffering in Syria today, to pray for people there and […]
Read MoreRemembrance Day prayers 2014
Traditionally, the MP for Wycombe leads prayers in All Saints High Wycombe on Remembrance Day. Here are mine for 2014: O LORD our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who from your throne beholds all the dwellers upon earth, heartily […]
Read MoreIn Defence of Capitali$m | a Christian perspective for BMS World Mission
[BMS World Mission asked me to write a defence of capitalism from a Christian perspective for their magazine Mission Catalyst. It appears in Issue 4 2014, alongside a defence of socialism. The article is online here and reproduced below. The entire issue is available to read as published here. I may […]
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Interview at Love Wycombe 2014: debt, help with debt and credit unions
Amid the conflict, drama and, too often, scandal of politics, it is easy to forget that politicians hope to make a positive difference to the lives of other people. We may disagree about methods but every decent politician wants to lift people out of poverty. One of the five pathways […]
Read MoreSmoking kills
Today, the Commons will vote on whether to disagree with the Lords in their amendment to ban smoking in private vehicles in the presence of children. Anyone who can read knows that smoking kills. And I know, for it killed my stepfather and an uncle. Why anyone does it despite […]
Read MoreRage against the machine: homelessness, hunger and the message of Christmas
Yesterday in Parliament, I spoke in two debates: one on homelessness and one on food banks. In the first debate, I began It is a thorough and utter disgrace that anyone should be homeless in the 21st century in our country. It makes me wonder whether the welfare state safety […]
Read MoreRemembrance Day 2013
Today, Wycombe saw another huge turnout for the Remembrance Service in All Saints High Wycombe. The church was packed and the sermon deeply moving, based as it was on the Chaplain’s direct experience in Afghanistan. Traditionally, the MP leads prayers. This year, I modified those I inherited from Paul Goodman […]
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