Everybody is an Expert

Everybody is an expert today. We are the only region of the United Kingdom where there are three hours set aside every day for the public to air their opinions: what we call “gernin”.

Every day people phone into the BBC to complain about this and that. and some of the presenters wind them up, showing little or no respect for politicians, police or civic leaders. The problem is not in the expression of opinion but in the fact that they all really believe that they know best without taking up the responsibility to do something themselves. Take a walk in the park or on the street and pretty soon you will see the litter lying around and everyone leaves the picking of it up to someone else, paid or unpaid.

Fortunately, for us all, God took responsibility and sent his son into the world so that we could receive forgiveness, and live for ever.

With Regret....

Maybe it’s because I am getting old and have trouble with change [the “your sitting in my pew” syndrome in church] or maybe it’s just because I like to support the perceived underdog but I really have a lot of sympathy for Gordon Browne. It may also be because he is Scottish and a son of the manse working in among all those English who resented so many Scots in the labour administration or simply because the press began the criticism which gathered such a head of steam which became a torrent so that even if it was all untrue it was perceived as true. My family would probably go for the former but actually I see it somewhat differently. Observing the way that Mr Browne conducted himself in these last days of his government has increased my admiration for him. I can well believe that he had a short fuse and he certainly goofed when he was caught with his microphone on.
We have all heard of the minister who was “caught” talking to people in the minister’s room without realising that his lapel microphone was on. I know this is true because I have done this , at least, once. It happened at a wedding and I was saved by my wife who came to the minister’s room to tell me: fortunately the conversation was completely benign. If I had said something confidential or controversial it would have been something different. That incident with Gillian the pensioner left its indelible mark but, for me, it left the measure of the man. When he realised what he had done he went directly to apologise in person. He could have remained at a distance and sent his apology but, contrary to political wisdom, he did it face to face even thought that gave the press the opportunity to report it in greater depth. As for the critics, I have less admiration: I know they have a job to do in reporting the news but a good few of them were happier to question his motives than report it as being done in good faith and with genuine sorrow. When Tony Blair was coming to the end of his premiership just about everyone said they were tired of the spin and the slick appearance of New Labour but it was not long before the slick performance of the Nick and Dave , or Davy as his wife calls him, Show was hailed as prime ministerial material.
It is difficult for the ordinary person to know what to believe about the difference between reality and perception but we must be a little cynical about the rehabilitation of the relationship between the two men who lead their perspective parties. Politics is politics. What I know is that the Bible has something to say about making mistakes and even doing wrong and how to handle human frailty. Even the flawless political performer remains a sinner before God and we are all entitled [because of the grace of God] to forgiveness but equally we are all called to make apology for our sins to those we have sinned against. The church is not for the perfect people any more than is the political arena: we are all sinners and we stand before God in human solidarity ready to accept God’s forgiveness. Gordon Browne could have sent his regrets by letter or email or even, horror of horrors, by text but he did it personally and I think that should be credited to him.