June 2010

Now the election is over Britain is coming to terms with what it means to have a parliament where there is no over all majority. For this generation it is a new experience and we need to look back to 1974 to discover the last time this happened. That last experience proved not to be popular or long lasting. The choice of words we use in such circumstances is interesting in itself and that use almost expresses a judgment. 'Hung Parliament' for example conjures up images either of ropes around a neck or to use another phrase; 'being held in a fragile balance'. Neither suggests strong or necessarily stable circumstances. On the other hand 'coalition' or even 'cooperative collaboration' implies partnership and the bringing together of various and complimentary gifts for the common good. An example was the way Winston Churchill during the Second World War formed a coalition government. In that instance there was a clear task and a common cause which placed party politics in a secondary place in relation to a hierarchy of needs.

We have yet to see what will be the outcome this time. Will party interests choke good government or will the serious common causes that face us financially bring people together in a partnership that best uses each others gifts? Certainly the idea of partnership and working for the common good seems to be something the public at large wish to see more visibly.

In the Christian calendar we are now in the season where we have celebrated the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Christian believers and the Church. The Pentecost message given by Jesus to his first disciples was clear; 'wait until you have been clothed with power from on high.' Here is a clear example of partnership and cooperation. Our willingness and God's power and inner strengthening becomes the means by which the saving, redeeming work of God is done. Willingness to collaborate remains the challenge.

+Alistair