Weekly Action - 14 July 2024 - Welcome to Government

 

Welcome to government

Last week the new Labour government came to power following the election of 4 July.  The new government has been plunged straight into the challenges and realities of running the country, facing a chronic prison overcrowding problem, crisis in the health service, a NATO summit, and many other issues.  As they face these challenges, and the many more to come, we should pray for them (and indeed for every government), that they will address them in the right way, full of justice and compassion.  We should also hold them (and indeed every government) to account when they fall short of this.  For we read in the Bible how God wants to see every government ruling with fairness, integrity, equality, justice and care for all in society.  As Proverbs 2 says, “a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order”, and “one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign” (Prov 28: 2, 16).

Two of the most urgent issues the government faces are the need to rapidly transition the UK economy (and the global economy) to be green and fair, and to support democracy and human rights around the world where they are under significant threat.  These are the focus of Arise’s 4 Shifts and Reform Movements campaigns.  In the run up to the election Arise sent out several weekly actions asking the main candidates and parties to significantly scale up action in these two crucial areas.  This week we published a blog setting out what we see as the top priorities for the new government in these areas in their first 100 days. 

Will you take action with Arise this week and write to the new government expressing congratulations on coming to power and setting out what action you would like to see in their first 100 days to rapidly transition the UK to a green and fair economy and to strengthen democracy and human rights around the world?

 

Take Action

Speak out in advocacy

Write to the new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, or better still send him a ‘congratulations on your new job’ card with your message within it.

1. Congratulate him and his party on their election.  Let him know that you will be praying for them.
2. Set out in your own words what action you would like to see the new government take in its first 100 days to rapidly transition the UK to a green and fair economy and to strengthen democracy and human rights around the world.  Use Arise’s first 100 days blog for ideas, but also add any of your own.

Write to the Prime Minister at:

Prime Minister Keir Starmer
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA

or contact him via social media, details here (do include a link to the first 100 days blog if you are contacting him via social media).

Pray

Pray for the Prime Minister and the new government.  Running the country is a tough job, whoever does it.  We should pray for all governments.  Pray the new UK government will govern the country wisely, with compassion, justice, care for all in society, especially the most marginalised, a commitment to take urgent action on the environment, and to model and champion all these things internationally too, not just at home. 

Practical Action

One of the areas considered in Arises’ top priorities for the new government’s first 100 days is the crucial importance of effective taxation and social spending.  We can support the government in rapidly transitioning the UK to a green and fair economy, and in strengthening democracy and human rights around the world, and indeed in its other important responsibilities, by ensuring we help play our part and always pay our taxes in full and don’t practice tax avoidance.

Give

As well as the new government taking action for a green and fair economy and democracy and human rights, there are lots of great organisations out there active in these areas that we should consider supporting financially ourselves.  Considering giving to Christian organisations like A Rocha or to secular groups like Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund, and your local Wildlife Trust who are doing great work caring for the environment.  On protecting democracy and human rights, give to Christian organisations like International Justice Mission, and to secular groups like Freedom House, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, who are again all doing great work in these areas.

Ethical Consumption

We can also take action directly ourselves to speed the shift to a green and fair economy and to support democracy and human rights around the world, in the way we spend our money.  Consider switching your electricity provider to a 100% clean renewable energy company like Ecotricity or Good Energy.  Try and avoid buying products and services from companies whose operations (inadvertently or not) are helping to prop up undemocratic regimes.  Check out the Ethical Consumer website for guidance on this.

 

Encourage us and others by letting us know what actions you have taken – message us at info@ariseuk.org, or via Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

 

Find out more

It’s great to take this action as individual Christians, but even better to come together with others to pray, discuss, worship, learn, have fun and take action together.  Contact Arise if you are interested in joining or starting a local Arise group in your church or area. 

Find out more in the Arise Manifesto, Arise’s big picture, researched, Biblical, holistic and practical vision for a better world.  It looks at what the Bible says, and what we can learn from the best data and the world’s leading experts on the five major areas of evangelism, discipleship, social justice, development and the environment.  It then draws these lessons together into a practical road map for the changes we need to see in our world, which the Arise movement campaigns to achieve.

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