Searching for our Soul

So it's a 'no'. I really thank God that the result of the Scottish referendum is in favour of a united kingdom. But what a lot we have learned from the experience. 85% of the population voted, which was a massive turnout, especially when you compare it with a typical vote in governmental elections. Why was the interest so great?

1. The passion of the people was kindled, realising what could be gained and what could be lost. There was a real, perceptible soul-searching with a view of the future which transcended the usual 5 years max in a normal election. In short, on both sides, there was vision and that surely was a key factor.
2. Behind this passion was also an anger. A friend of mine is married to a Scot, so she spends a lot of time north of the border, and did so this summer. She said everyone was talking about the referendum, but the 'backstory' was the catastrophic poll tax fiasco of Margaret Thatcher's years in government. David Cameron rightly identified the desire of some to 'kick the Tories', but equally rightly pointed out that this should not be the determining factor in deciding which way to vote. So history - further back than Thatcher, and more recent - played a part.
3. It wasn't just the 'Yes' campaigners who wanted change. Nor is it just the Scots. As I mentioned in my last blog, we are all trying to work out what it means to belong:  how we may remain part of a larger enterprise, contributing to the good of all while not losing our own distinctive identity. This calls at the same time for both humility and courage. Humility to change; courage to face a different kind of future.

If I am right in thinking that a supremacist attitude characterises the English - against which millions of Scots were reacting - then learning humility as a nation is surely a must. Behind the UKIP campaign, I believe, stands exactly that spirit. I would certainly be in favour of regional devolution and local determination, so long as there is a sense of a 'common good'. The North West, for example, not implementing policies which might be detrimental to Yorkshire. No spirit of rivalry. A sense of one nation, and for that matter one continent.

Last Wednesday, Bill Addy was appointed Leader-in-Mission at St Barnabas. It was a joyous evening, and the people of that church were clearly delighted. A number of Bill & Pauline's friends came to cheer them on - friends of many years. I was pleased that the other two churches in our team were well represented and it was a great time of worship. I am full of hope that all three of our churches will go from strength to strength. But as we agreed at a meeting earlier this week, what will determine our future will be the relationships and agreed strategies of us three leaders. And the same principle will be true nationally, as the United Kingdom. Leadership is key!