Dear friends,
I am getting to the age where there is a real danger that I view everything through an illogical pair of rose-tinted spectacles! Perhaps I should be diagnosed with a case of chronic Nostalgia!
It is so easy to look back at times that seem to be better in hindsight and pine for the familiar rather than accept the challenge of new things and new ways. All of us must hold in balance the things that are part of our past and upbringing with those things that are part of the present. The result of this may sometimes be excitement, and others disappointment.
I do not want to harp on, but one thing that I do feel is not the same, to the detriment of society is the lack of respect and civility within our political and civic leadership.
However much the political leaders of my youth passionately held their opinions, they, on the whole, respected the good motives behind those with whom they disagreed.
Thirty Years ago, the whole nation was saddened and shocked by the death of the then Labour Leader: John Smith. The respect in which he was held by the then prime minister was evident in the gracious tribute John Major gave from the dispatch box. He said at one point “John was, by necessity, my opponent, but was never my enemy!”
I feel that there is so much encouragement in our national life to separate us from, and deny the value, of those with whom we disagree, rather than come together to, respectfully and civilly, work together for the good of our society.
I hope and pray that all our election candidates and those who aspire to political office will demonstrate this in their behaviour and language over the election campaign and also in the aftermath when some will be elevated to power and others disappointed.
“God created Man in his own image. Male and Female he created them.” We must be so careful not to deny someone’s worth and value to society based on their political opinions, skin colour, religion or any other human division.
May we work at being role models for our leaders, as much as we hope our leaders will be role models for us.
With love and prayers,
Philip