Let’s encourage our churches to support and pray for his or her elected representatives

Last week’s elections confirm that folks have lost trust in each the system and the politicians – and the fragmentation that exists in British politics. 

In Scotland the SNP took most seats but fell in need of a majority, with Labour and Reform tied for second place. Labour lost control of Wales for the primary time ever, with Plaid Cymru as the biggest party, and Reform in second place. 

The English local election results were a mixed bag. Reform took essentially the most seats across the country, including control of 14 councils, although their national vote share was actually down from last yr’s local elections (27% from 32%). Labour had its worst ever local election results, losing control of 37 councils and suffering a net loss of just about 1,500 councillors. 

The Conservatives lost 563 councillors overall, but actually increased their national vote share. The Greens made good gains, including taking 5 councils and a pair of mayoralties – but did less well than they’d hoped. And the Lib Dems continued to make regular gains, which were largely unspectacular, except in Richmond upon Thames where they took each seat on the council. 

A precarious position for the Prime Minister 

Overall, the outcomes were driven by a mix of local aspects and the views people held of the Labour government in Westminster. The Prime Minister’s situation is precarious, together with his MPs now plotting increasingly openly against him. Former Minister Catherine West threatened to trigger a leadership challenge against Sir Keir if no person within the Cabinet did so and a rising variety of Labour MPs have now called for him to step down. Despite an enormous government majority within the Commons of 156, the PM looks unlikely to stay in post for very long. 

Losing trust within the system and politics 

In a recent world of multi-party politics, perhaps it’s time to alter the electoral system for UK elections – each general and native. In a multi-party contest, candidates can – and do – win with lower than 20% of the vote, which inevitably makes most voters feel as if their votes don’t really matter. In 2024, Labour won almost 64% of the seats with lower than 34% of the vote, whilst Reform won lower than 1% of the seats with 14% of the vote. 

A more proportional system could restore a modicum of trust. The next likelihood of coalition governments would also require parties to work together for the great of the country, and moderate divisive policies, equivalent to – might I say – Reform’s proposal to position large immigrant detention centres in areas that voted Green! 

Restoring trust in politicians is much more complex. I’m unconvinced it would be achieved by the ruling party continuing to play merry-go-round games with the office of Prime Minister. 

But we do need to handle the general public’s understanding of what governments and politicians can realistically achieve. 

One Labour MP summed up the issue once they told the BBC: “I’m … of the view that anyone who takes over (from Starmer) will inherit the identical problem – an impatient and almost ungovernable country that wishes tax cuts and spending increases on nearly every thing.” 

The challenges, and rewards of public service

The electorate rightly expect high standards from their representatives, and it is a large privilege to be elected to serve your community. However, the pressures mean there’s a danger that fewer people might be willing to face for election. 

As well as competing – or, indeed unattainable – expectations from the electorate, the rise of social media has driven huge levels of abuse, including death threats for councillors and MPs. And online threats easily turn into verbal and physical aggression. 

Let’s not forget the murders of MPs Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess in 2021. 

The Jo Cox Civility Commission found that 90% of female MSPs had feared for his or her safety, and 43% of Welsh MPs and Senedd members had received a death threat. No wonder individuals are reluctant to enter public service. 

As Christians who imagine that God ordains authority and good government as a part of his purposes, we urgently need to hope for serious, servant-hearted and competent people to be willing to step up. Let’s encourage our churches to support and pray for his or her elected representatives – whatever color rosette they wear – for defense, wisdom and strength. Please reach out to them. They may not receive a whole lot of encouragement, and you’ll be able to be an incredible witness in the best way that you just engage. 

And if – despite the challenges – you may feel called to face for election yourself, for whichever party, that will be improbable. Do try the web site of our friends at Christians in Politics, who’ve resources to encourage and champion Christians wanting to get entangled in public life. You will need support and prayer, but I promise it would be rewarding. 

To serve in elected office is an infinite blessing, it’s a privilege to have a job that brings you alongside others, to hunt to fulfill their needs and to be a voice for the voiceless. Despite all I’ve just said in regards to the challenges, I absolutely love what I do. 

Let’s end by praying Solomon’s prayer for wisdom in 1 Kings 3, that for all those searching for to get entangled in politics, God will “give your servant a discerning heart to manipulate your people and to differentiate between right and fallacious”.

Tim Farron has been the Member of Parliament for Westmorland and Lonsdale since 2005 and served because the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party from 2015 to 2017. Tim can also be the host of Premier’s ‘A Mucky Business’ podcast, which unpacks the murky world of politics and encourages believers across the UK to interact prayerfully. He is the creator of A Mucky Business: Why Christians should get entangled in politics.”