Supreme Court and Brexit powers
The UK's biggest constitutional case in decades, how we begin the process of leaving the EU, was discussed at the Supreme Court this week. Judgement is expected in January. The Government says it doesn't need MPs' approval to trigger Brexit, whereas Labour called for a Brexit plan to be outlined before Article 50 is triggered. There was a vote to ‘respect’ the Government's timetable for leaving. Although the result could complicate the Government's triggering of the process for the UK leaving the EU, it is not expected to stop Brexit happening. MPs also supported a Labour motion calling for Parliament to ‘properly scrutinise’ the Government in its proposals for leaving the EU. The votes followed a compromise between Labour and the Conservatives, who had argued over the questions to be put. See
Christians in parliament
A recent ‘Investigating Faith’ event with David Suchet was attended by over a hundred parliamentarians, staff and guests. Dame Caroline Spelman MP interviewed David about his life, work & faith and the significance of the Bible in his life. It was highly thought-provoking, with many leaving inspired to read the Bible more. The first full term of Tuesday chapel services has a growing number of regular attendees. Please continue to pray for further growth here, and pray for Rev Jason Roach, Rev Nigel Beynon and Sue Algeo, as they teach from the Psalms and Matthew’s Gospel. Also remember the two groups of MPs meeting weekly for Bible study, and give thanks for new joiners and the return of a few members; may there be continued spiritual growth for all. Pray for the Parliament carol services next Monday and Tuesday, which members and staff from both Houses have signed up to attend.
Boris’s ‘awkward comments'
Boris Johnson accused Saudi Arabia of engaging in ‘proxy wars’ in the Middle East, and Middle East politicians of ‘twisting and abusing religion for political gain’, adding that Iran and Saudi Arabia were ‘puppeteering’ because of a lack of strong leadership in the region. Our foreign secretary said, ‘There are politicians who are twisting and abusing religion and different strains of the same religion in order to further their own political objectives. That's one of the biggest political problems in the whole region. That's why you have these proxy wars being fought in that area. There is not strong enough leadership in the countries themselves.’ He added that there was a lack of ‘big characters’ in the Middle East who are willing to reach out beyond their Sunni or Shi’a group and bring people together.
Bishops call for rail strikes to end
Sussex bishops have urged for an end to the ‘cycle of blame’ and ‘misery’ that is impacting Southern Rail commuters. In a letter addressed to bodies from all sides of the Southern Rail dispute, the bishops' letter said that those involved had a ‘moral obligation’ to provide public transport and that the ongoing row was causing damage to the communities reliant on the service. Strikes are scheduled for this month and January, in a long-running dispute over changes to the role of conductors. The bishops say that, as Christian leaders, their task is ‘to promote those processes which lead to human flourishing in a just and free society’.
