The future of Northern Ireland

Last week, Sinn Fein topped the poll for the Northern Irish assembly at Stormont. This means that it is likely that a nationalist will be the First Minister for the first time in the province’s history. Elections and devolved government in Northern Ireland are complex and so simply being the largest party doesn’t tell us… Continue reading The future of Northern Ireland

The problem of the non-voter

I thought I’d write a little bit more about the problem of the non-voter and who it is a problem for. My friend who is passionate that we all must vote shared this graphic with me as part of our conversation. This kind of graphic is often favoured by political parties when they are in… Continue reading The problem of the non-voter

Pints, cake and retrospective justice

#Partygate is the scandal that keeps on giving.  In a bid to distract from their own troubles, the Tories have tried to put the focus on an incident during the local elections last year where Keir Starmer was videoed drinking beer in Durham.  Their claim is that the leader of the opposition was also in… Continue reading Pints, cake and retrospective justice

Were the Sunaks’ tax arrangements that big a deal?

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has been under pressure because it recently emerged that his wife holds “non-dom” status and so has not been paying tax here on her income in India and elsewhere. The normal expectation is that you do have to pay tax here in the UK even from overseas. … Continue reading Were the Sunaks’ tax arrangements that big a deal?

Boris, Rishi #Partygate and standards in public life

We now know that the Prime Minister and his wife as well as the Chancellor of the Exchequer have been fined over the so called #Partygate. Meanwhile there are questions about Rishi Sunak’s wife -and therefore him benefitting from her Non Dom status so that she did not pay tax in the UK.   Some people… Continue reading Boris, Rishi #Partygate and standards in public life

France, Le Pen and the Far Right

The French Presidential election heads into round two after Easter. The French electoral system relies on a two-stage approach. A kind of slowed down Alternative Vote system if you like. Instead of casting a second preference vote, you get to vote again to decide between the two front runners and have an opportunity to reflect… Continue reading France, Le Pen and the Far Right

The cost of living crisis: Poverty and politics

I want to return to our discussion about poverty and the cost of living crisis.  Over the past week, a lot of people will have been getting updates from their energy companies to tell them that prices are increasing, potentially doubling the cost of heating and lighting your home.  For some this will mean a… Continue reading The cost of living crisis: Poverty and politics

Why I’m writing about Russia, Ukraine and NATO

The primary purpose of Faithroots is to help people think Biblically because what we believe affects how we live. I write for a general audience but I also have two specific and related audiences in mind that I particularly want to help and encourage: Those involved in urban church planting, mission and discipleship whether as… Continue reading Why I’m writing about Russia, Ukraine and NATO

Russia and Ukraine -what next?

Today there is war in Europe.  We cannot underestimate the size of this conflict. Ukraine has a population of around 41.46 million, a little smaller than the United Kingdom, Russia is a permanent member of the UN security council with a population of 146 million and one of the largest nuclear powers.  The conflict is… Continue reading Russia and Ukraine -what next?

Putin’s bluff – a possible silver lining to the dark clouds over Ukraine

On Monday, Russian formally recognised provinces in the east of Ukraine as independent countries. This then was used as a pretext for Russian forces to be invited into those areas as “peace-keepers.” Things don’t look good for Ukraine right now and I’m sure many will be joining in praying for our brothers and sisters there… Continue reading Putin’s bluff – a possible silver lining to the dark clouds over Ukraine