Voters complain that they hear from would-be politicians only at election time. The fact is that most voters don't want to hear from would-be politicians at any time, but only from those who are already in power, or likely to be helped by their political party to gain power. The same is true of the …
Tactical voting
Tactical voting is of interest to the major parties because it maintains their dominance over the political scene. There is always ‘an issue’ at each election which the major parties use to persuade voters into voting tactically for them. This squeezes out the minor parties and this is seen in the UK and USA where …
Christian excuses
You know the phenomenon – someone promises you that they will do something and they don't. After a while you realise that it will not be done, possibly after several enquiries and further promises. First, there are the lame excuses, and then there is the justification, which does not stand up to examination. It would …
Christians and political party loyalty
Brexit has tested Westminster party loyalties to breaking point and it is testing the raison d’être of these parties. There is a realignment along Brexit lines and this General Election is clearly about Brexit – unless one is a Tory. Boris Johnson and the Tories are clearly fighting for their party rather than the country, …
Political statistics
The 2016 UK Referendum, whether to stay in the European Union, was the largest vote in UK history. 17.4 million people voted "Leave" and it seemed clear that Britain wanted to leave the EU and that this would happen. The tail wagging the dog However, we live in an era when the tail wags the …
Brexit has (not yet) arrived
Today was meant to be Brexit Day. At 11 p.m., when this post is published, the UK was meant to leave the European Union – postponed for a third time. However, I hope that the end is in sight, now that a General Election has been called for 12 December 2019. Brexit 1 was 29 …
Representative democracy
Brexit has demonstrated the importance of voting for the person whom you want to represent you in the House of Commons. The current situation of a minority Government bound by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 has highlighted the following issues: Direct and Representative democracy Should an MP honour the wishes of the country in a …
Biblical repentance
Roman Catholic doctrine continues to be seen in the presbyterian practice of repentance. Whereas presbyterians may preach biblical repentance, some presbyterian procedures involve Roman Catholic penance in practice. Whereas preaching may not be legalistic, practice can be. It reminds us of the Saviour's warning to do as officialdom says, but not to do as they …
Gather up the fragments that remain
Jesus said to His disciples: "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." John 6:12 Jesus said this after feeding 5,000 people on the Galilean hillside. He was teaching His disciples about more than being tidy. In this same chapter Jesus taught "I am the Bread of Life" Jn 6:35,48,51 and He gave …
Things you know you know …
"There are things you know you know and there are things you know you don't know. There are things you don't know that you know and there are things you don't know that you don't know." The Johari window This stanza was popularised by Donald Rumsfeld during a press conference in 2002 explaining that 'there …
Donald's Thoughts 