Ungovernable?

Is Britain now ungovernable? It seems hard to believe now that one Prime Minister who was in charge for 11 years (Margaret Thatcher) was succeeded by one in power for seven years (John Major) and another who lasted a decade (Tony Blair). By contrast, in the last decade, there have been six PMs.

Various reasons have been suggested and adduced. One is the 2008 financial crisis, which was not only significant in itself but also resulted in a long-term fall in productivity and growth. Another is the long-term structural issue of an ageing population relying on relatively fewer working-age people, creating pressure on public services. Then there are challenges resulting from significant immigration.

Questions have also been raised about whether UK governments can actually exercise power effectively (even if they know what they want to do) due to planning regulations and the outsourcing of services from the public sector to the private. Moreover, there is 24/7 scrutiny of every action on social media.

We live in a time of global turbulence too. The world is in flux: the rise of China, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increased meddling in the West in other ways, and the re-election of Donald Trump have all raised multiple issues.

But at its heart, the UK has lost its way because it has turned its back on Christ and its shared Christian heritage. There may be some encouraging signs of increased spiritual interest, but until we again have leaders with firm moral moorings derived from God’s Word, Britain will continue to drift.