Bishop Nick Baines derides Brexit British hopelessness
There's a lot of anxiety about. The torch which once lit our path is being extinguished. Our institutions and communities are beset with moral problems, dilemmas and quandaries. Our politics…
Politicians
Sentamu: ‘pure’ (‘real’/ ‘hard’) Brexit is “a childish dream”
On the BBC's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, the Archbishop of Canterbury was asked about the disparity (/gulf) between the laity and clergy in the Church of England regarding the European Union. He was reminded that two-thirds of Anglicans who…
The Rev’d Jonathan Aitken – being ordained is like ‘a new life’
Former Tory Cabinet minister, convicted perjurer and bankrupt the Rt Hon Jonathan Aitken MP is now the Rev'd Jonathan Aitken, deacon at St Matthews, Westminster, and chaplain to the Prison…
Mawer, Percy, and the See of Sheffield: what if Conservative politicians had supported Philip North?
Sir Philip Mawer's report on the circumstances surrounding the nomination of Bishop Philip North to the See of Sheffield makes interesting reading, in particular what it means for the 'mutual…
If a bigot can’t be PM, why should one be allowed to become an MP?
Jacob Rees-Mogg walks into a TV studio. Grand Inquisitor Piers Torquemorgan has wheeled out his rack; his beatific assistant Susanna Reid has greased up the Judas cradle. Heresy is not…
Donald Trump is no neo-Nazi sympathiser: he’s just not a very good politician
This is a guest post by Martin Sewell, a retired solicitor. ______ When the USA elected Donald Trump to be their new President, it was, to a significant degree, because…
Nigel Farage slams Jesus for his “negative” Christmas message
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has slammed Jesus for his "negative" Christmas message. The Son of God said the world is full of wolves in sheep's clothing, not to mention…
For unto us a child is born
Christmas has become an annual sabbath; almost the only time of the year now when families come together, friends are remembered, and the ghosts of Christmases past are recalled, some…
The liberation of Aleppo? Pouring a sea of grey into buckets of black and white
Parliament debates the liberation of Aleppo today. Marvellous. That'll sort it all out. Or perhaps MPs won't quite debate the liberation of Aleppo, for Aleppo hasn't actually been liberated from…
Ukip would be safe, safer and safest with Suzanne Evans as leader
Ukip is about to choose a(nother) new leader. Will it be Suzanne Evans or Paul Nuttall? That's the choice (we can safely discount John Rees-Evans for.. all.. sorts.. of.. reasons..).…
Corbyn’s mission is Christian socialism – but the country will never vote for it
"So enthused by @JeremyCorbyn4PM win today," tweeted the Rev'd Dr Giles Fraser, on hearing of the victorious re-election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party. "The world is…
May's 'one nation' mission: let's talk about white working-class boys
"But David’s true legacy is not about the economy, but about social justice," explained Theresa May in her first speech as Prime Minister. "David Cameron has led a 'one…
Theresa May could be poised for real political greatness
"Brexit means Brexit, and we're going to make a success of it," proclaimed Theresa May, just hours before she was unexpectedly declared the new leader of the Conservative Party,…
The destruction of Andrea Leadsom: is it no longer permissible to be proud of motherhood?
"I absolutely am a Christian and I am very proud of it," Conservative leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom told Channel 4 News. "And it absolutely acts in the background in…
Batley and Spen by-election: you don't respect a murdered MP by suspending democracy
"Following the tragic killing of Labour MP Jo Cox, the Conservative Party has decided not to contest the forthcoming by-election as a mark of respect to a much-loved and…
Mrs Proudie: "Do these politicians know how much they are loathed?"
One must confess the hottest gossip around the Cathedral Close in Barchester this week has been last week’s 'Affair of the Missing Apostrophe'. Shame and embarrassment, together with an…
Donald Trump: the triumph of political incorrectness over incorrect politicalness
Unless the GOP does something silly – like steal the nomination in a contested convention by engineering a last-minute coup – it looks as though Donald Trump will be…
Boko Haram burns children alive, but no EU 'open door' to Nigerian refugees
Some two thousand miles away in Deir ez-Zur, Syria, Islamists have besieged the city of 120,000 souls. Women are raped in the street, men beheaded on the banks of…
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us
'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.. Through him all things were made.. In him was life.. the light of…
Corbyn and charisma: where there is no vision, the people get no credit
There’s no denying that Jeremy Corbyn has a curiously charismatic air about him. If he had not scraped into the Labour leadership contest, would we have seen those tens…