For those of us who live in London the fount of all knowledge and insight on the political scene is definitely the London cabbie. Taxi drivers seem to have an endless stream of inconsequential facts and stories, no doubt picked up from endless hours driving with the radio for company. Last week I learnt about the folly of finishing off road improvements with small blocks rather than tarmac. They have the answer just about everything. Their humour can at times cheer the gloomiest day or their cynicism burst the most optimistic of souls. Inevitably as we passed the Houses of Parliament the uselessness of all politicians and the emergence of a political class was the topic of conversation.
In just 66 days we go to the polls in the 2015 General Election. My taxi driver pronounced that it was a complete waste of time voting for any of these unprincipled people who are only after their own gain. This latter comment was obviously fuelled by the recent suspension of two senior politicians from their respective parties as a result of being caught in a sting operation where they appeared to be taking money for their services. The media storm around Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw seems to simply confirm in the mind of the public all that is wrong with our politicians today. Public opinion seems to range from a desire to engage, but no knowledge of who to vote for, to complete apathy and Christians are not immune to these feelings.
Yet, as I mulled all this over I began to reflect on another facet of this learned debate. It is not just the public who are disillusioned, the MPs themselves are! A survey by Conservative Home late last year showed how widespread the problem is. At that time 27 Tory MPs had gone or are going at the next election; 30 Labour MPs and 9 Liberal Democrats.
It was all so different around the 2010 election. I recall walking to work after voting when the conversation of my fellow travellers was buzzing with optimism. A new era of politics was emerging and they were thrilled to be part of it by casting their vote.
As Christians we have been praying for years that God would raise up His people in the corridors of power and last time round we saw them stepping up to be counted. Of the 200 or so newly elected MPs in 2010, 40 were committed Christians, there because they believed that God had called them to the Westminster parliament to uphold His truth and justice in our land.
Sadly even among this new intake there are those who are stepping down this time round. Some are disillusioned that in having to follow the Party line they are not able to make that difference that they had hoped for. The system gets in the way. They are bruised, battle weary and tired. They are lonely, the pressures of family life and yes, the temptations, have all taken their toll.
All depressing stuff, but does this not present us as Christians with a huge chance to get stuck in? In the midst of what seems such a depressing situation there is a golden opportunity for Christians. We are called to work for the good of our town, city and nation. This is not an option, but an extension of the creation mandate "to rule with God and for Him" - to be salt and light. At a time when membership of constituency political parties is dwindling we can join and make a grace-filled difference, even to the point of influencing policy. Willingness to stand as a candidate for local elections on councils is down across the country, but we can stand up and be counted. We can demonstrate that far from succumbing to apathy and indifference, Christians are taking on the challenge.
There are huge encouragements too. I was thrilled and humbled when one of the new intake confided in me that because she passionately believed that she had been elected for "such a time as this" she therefore daren't leave her house in the morning without having spent significant time with God. From the beginning she made her Christian faith clear. Courageously she has fought for God's standards and in so doing has made enemies, but also gained much respect. This is the calibre of many Christian MPs. Yes they are tired, but they're not disillusioned and they remain faithful to God's call.
Nola Leach is the CEO of CARE.
