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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Junior doctors’ strikes reveal the fragility of patient-doctor relationships
Today and tomorrow, junior doctors in our NHS are on strike. This action neglects taxpayers who expect world-class treatment around the clock, every day. Unlike previous occasions, this strike includes emergency services in hospitals across the UK. It is the BMA’s right to call this action, as a trade union representing those who work […]
Read MoreESA and PIP changes in Budget 2016
I have been asked to explain reasons for the changes to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) as set out in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill and the debacle over Personal Independence Payment (PIP). In the Summer Budget 2015, the Chancellor announced that, from April 2017, new ESA claimants who are placed in […]
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Speech on Money Creation and Society
A lady in Wycombe recently asked me the following questions: Why is my house valued higher than its worth? Why do crashes keep happening every 8 years? Who owns the money supply and how does it relate to gold? Why haven’t I had cost of living pay rise for 7 […]
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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How choice and competition improve society
Writing today for City AM, Paul Ormerod argues “It’s time to fight the claim that consumer choice doesn’t improve public services”. Quite right. Ormerod indicates one of the trends of our time: The new Labour shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh said last week that she was “open” to the idea […]
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A revolutionary speech – The Wrong Messiah
I gave the talk this morning at Speen Church. We’re not especially Baptist (apparently!) but we do practice the priesthood of all believers. I chose as my theme the book The Wrong Messiah, by Nick Page. From the cover: He came from the wrong social class, the wrong place and […]
Read MoreIntroducing WycombeFirst – “Industry enriches”
Today, I’m launching WycombeFirst: WycombeFirst is an initiative to promote Wycombe businesses. We know that industry – productive work in the service of others – helps individuals to flourish, builds up society and creates a prosperous future. Each week, WycombeFirst will showcase local businesses in different sectors. We’re proud of […]
Read MoreTwo speeches on sound money, the morality of taxation and the cruel fiction of state power
I spoke yesterday to the European Young Conservatives on the origins of the crisis in excess state power, deficit spending, debt and debasement. Here are the slides: And this morning, I spoke on the morality of taxation alongside Syed Kamall MEP, Cllr J P Floru and Matthew Elliott of the TaxPayers’ Alliance. […]
Read MoreMore unexpected borrowing?
Yesterday, we learned “public sector net borrowing was £0.6 billion in July 2012; this is £3.4 billion higher net borrowing than in July 2011, when net borrowing was -£2.8 billion (a repayment)”. Compared to say May, when we borrowed £17.9 billion, £600 million seems relatively modest. It’s still the gross […]
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