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Two weeks in... What has happened so far in our new Government? And how can we pray?

Writer's picture: Oliver MedlaOliver Medla

Sir Keir Starmer MP walking up the stairs at Number 10 Downing Street.
Sir Keir Starmer at Number 10


You've started a new job. Just one of the ordinary workers. You've just worked out where you're supposed to be for the 11am meeting but the room is empty and you realise that you're on the wrong floor. You see someone who is probably a colleague supposed to be at the same meeting but they're in a queue for coffee and don't seem to be in a hurry at all...


Have you ever felt lost? Out of your depth? Just trying to find your feet?


We hear a lot about the "big players" in politics, like our new PM, Sir Keir Starmer, and his Cabinet team - names like David Lammy, Yvette Cooper and Wes Streeting might "ring a bell" for some of us, but have you heard of Tom Collins or Rosie Wrighting? Out of 650 people elected on the 4th July, 335 have never been an MP before:- and now they have to figure out their new role in an unfamiliar environment, many (or most) of them quite a long way from home!


Phil Brickell, Labour MP for Bolton West, said “There’s a lot to get your head around”. He continued: “How Parliament works, hiring staff, finding an office in the constituency and getting into a weekly rhythm. At the moment, I’m taking it one day at a time.”


So there is plenty to pray for as these new representatives split their time between Westminster and their own constituency.


There are many Christian MPs, both in government and in opposition.

Christians on the Left, the organisation that fosters good relationships between the Labour Party and Christians of all denominations, announced that they had seen 19 of their members elected as new MPs, as well as 25+ sitting MP members re-elected. There are at least four openly Christian MPs in Sir Keir's new Cabinet.


Whilst the Conservatives obviously fared less well in this election, they have always had a strong grouping of MPs who confess a public faith in Christ and the Conservative Christian Fellowship is the official "sister" organisation to Christians on the Left, with the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum doing similar work with the now third-largest party grouping at Westminster.


Remember that politics is not a once in every four or five years game. As Christians, we're called to pray for our leaders and to make change ourselves. Jesus reached out practically to the poor and he challenged those who made the lives of the poor more difficult. We can and should do both:- whether we work within the system, like the Christian MPs seeking to make legislation serve the downtrodden, or whether we campaign against unfair laws, or encourage those seeking to make the changes.


We can all pray into these situations, and there is plenty more to find out to help us. Read one of these fascinating articles each week to give you some more food for thought and then pray about the issues over breakfast or lunch or dinner.


Week 1:


Week 2:


Week 3:


Week 4:



"Christians in Politics" is another faithful organisation that promotes good relationships between faith and politics and work across all parties and with churches of all denominations. They are a great way to start engaging with political conversations and prayer, whatever your own politics.


As life continues, remember that Prayer, and Politics, is for life, not just elections...



Christians in Politics Logotype
Christians in Politics Logo



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