How should we assess the King's Speech biblically?
James Mildred
On Wednesday, King Charles delivered the Labour government's first King's Speech in the House of Lords. Part of the state opening of parliament, the speech set out the new government's priorities for the months ahead. This was a speech designed to demonstrate that the new government means business. Themed around Labour’s five key missions, there are a grand total of 40 Bills, with four of these being draft ones.
Labour’s missions are as follows: secure sustained economic growth, make Britain a clean energy superpower, build an NHS fit for purpose, make Britain’s streets safe, and break down barriers to opportunity at every stage.
There is very little to disagree with here. Economic growth helps fund debt repayments and money for schools and hospitals. Becoming a clean energy superpower is also a worthwhile and necessary goal, not least because our country was impacted by Putin’s war of aggression in Ukraine in terms of being overly energy dependent on other nations. And surely we would agree that the NHS needs urgent reform. We all want to see safe streets and indeed, biblically this is a priority for the government. Finally, ‘opportunity for everyone’ is consistent with the idea that we are all made in God’s image.
The King’s Speech is where the government sets out its legislative priorities for the next parliamentary session. How long this session lasts depends on a range of factors. It could be just one year, or most likely longer. This matters because of the sheer number of bills brought forward. It takes approximately 6-9 months for a major piece of legislation to pass through all its stages in the Commons and the Lords. Multiple Bills can move forward at one time but given the sheer number of Bills (previous King’s/Queen’s Speeches have included 30-35 as the norm), it remains to be seen if all will pass into law.
Biblical principles to shape our analysis
As we reflect on the Bills, a key question is how are we to assess them? Firstly, we are evangelical. This means, amongst many things, that the Bible is our sole source of authority. I believe it is inspired, inerrant and authoritative. It is also sufficient for all matters of life.
Next, we need to remember the God-given role of government. To my mind, our starting point has to be Genesis 9. I’m indebted to Jonnathan Leemans’ thinking in this area. In the covenant with creation post the flood, God places a protection on human life. In order for this law to be upheld, the assumption behind it is that humanity will set up governing institutions. Over many centuries of Bible history, this took the form of dictatorships and absolute monarchies. In the modern UK, it takes the form of democracy.
From Genesis 9, we can see that government has a duty to protect life. This is sacrosanct to its very purpose. Fast forward to the New Testament and other passages stand out. Firstly, Jesus’ teaching that we should render to Caeser what is Caeser’s and to God’s what is God’s. His key point is that Caeser has legitimate authority. But that God’s authority is even greater. This sets the foundation for Romans 13, where we discover that governments are appointed by God, granted the power of the sword to administer justice and are charged to do two things: punish evil and promote good.
Let’s add to this a few other points. governments should also have a concern towards the most vulnerable. This reflects the heart of God who is the One who is on the side of the orphan, the widow, the stranger and the poor. This is all about doing biblical justice. The government should ensure that people receive their dues – be that punishment for crimes, or support and help if they are in desperate need.
Secondly, governments should respect the other authority structures God has created. I’m thinking here of the church and the family. In God’s good design, the sword of judgement is given to the state, but the keys of the kingdom are given to the church. This means the government should not interfere with doctrinal matters and allow churches freedom to live out faith in Jesus. In respect of the family, the broad principle is that the government must respect the God-given responsibility of parents. This is perhaps especially applicable when it comes to education and keeping a healthy balance between respecting parental rights, children’s rights and the need to prepare children for adult life.
Thirdly and finally, I would love to see a government that honoured God. It is a matter of debate what this should look like. For example, some would argue the government should uphold Christianity and reject other religions. Another approach is to see the government’s function as acting as a guardian of a pluralistic public square, where religious freedom and freedom of conscience are protected for all. But as a minimum, governments should not act as if God doesn’t exist.
With all this in mind, what about the Bills in the King’s Speech?
One of the tricky things about reacting to a King’s Speech is that it is rare that Bills are wholly objectionable. For example, even if the proposed changes in the law are problematic, we might feel that we can support some or all of the intentions behind the legislation. Here are my own initial thoughts on what was announced – although the precise details are still to be confirmed.
Take the draft ‘Conversion Practices’ Bill. Firstly, it is a good thing it is a draft bill. This means there will be more time for scrutiny before it ever appears as a formal government bill. Given the complexity of what it is trying to accomplish (and the sheer legal difficulty of finding a watertight definition of conversion practices that doesn’t breach fundamental freedoms), more time for scrutiny is good. The intention of the bill is to stop harm from happening. As a Christian, I stand against any forms of abuse against people who identify as LGBTQ. In this connection, there is something in the intention of the legislation I can connect with.
But I cannot agree with the approach because I believe it will undermine key freedoms and be an example of the state overreaching into the church authority sphere and into the rights of parents (in terms of conversations with their children about sexuality and identity).
The reason I think this is because I suspect you will end up with a very broad conversion practices ban that criminalises certain types of conversation which could be applied to pastors and church leaders who are seeking to instruct someone on the biblical view of sexuality and gender. The same is true for parents of say a young teenage girl who tells them she thinks she is actually a boy. A broad ban could criminalise her parents telling her she is not born in the wrong body.
Economic Stability and Growth
I think the Bills to strengthen the responsibility of government to use independent analysis in its budget is good accountability. The National Wealth Fund Bill is a good idea and I fully support the plans to try and stimulate housing development because there is a biblical idea of putting down roots and I think, as a general rule, it is good for young people to grow up in stable homes. The Employment Rights Bill is also good in principle. In the Bible, there is considerable stress in Old Testament law on ensuring workers receive some protections. At the same time, we must remember the general principle that bosses are to be respected.
Great British Energy and Clean Energy Superpower
I wholly support the legislation to hold water companies to account. As a Christian, it is wrong, in my mind, that some water companies have performed so badly and played a part in polluting our rivers and waterways and yet have senior leaders who take home significant pay packets.
Secure borders and cracking down on anti-social behaviour and take back our streets
In the Christian worldview, governments must take defense seriously and offer compassion to the stranger. That does not mean, necessarily, an open border approach. But it does mean that even in the language that is used about illegal immigrants, it should have a care to respect their God-given dignity. I think the modernising of the asylum system could be a really good and important move, to provide a more compassionate, people-focused system. The legislation to address anti-social behavior is also vital.
A word of caution: the Crime and Policing Bill will be what we call a ‘Christmas Tree’ Bill in that a lot of things can be hung on it. Expect to see pro-abortion decriminalisation advocates use this legislation to try and impose even more liberal abortion laws upon England and Wales.
Breaking down barriers to opportunity
The Children’s Wellbeing Bill is fascinating. On the one hand, we must respect the God-given rights of children. Jesus welcomed little children and demonstrated his rejection of those who ignored them. So, a Bill to ensure that children are safe, happy and treated fairly sounds good.
However, plans for a national register of home-schooled children could be sinister. I get the intention: to help ensure no child is missing out. But the whole idea is based on a premise of suspicion towards home-education, a model which many Christians have chosen (and seemingly in increasing numbers!). So the Government must be careful to ensure it does not undermine parental rights and freedom of choice with this aspect of the Bill.
I support the draft leasehold and commonhold reform bill. Any legislation that will sort out England’s archaic and medieval planning and housing systems is a good thing! And the Skills England Bill is also positive because it will help young people especially find alternative routes to careers, other than university. In the Christian worldview, work is good!
As mentioned, I have grave concerns about the draft Conversion Practices Bill. While it is good it is a draft bill, I do not think the government will ever succeed in legislating successfully in this area and producing a law that that does not interfere with the rights of churches and parents.
Health
The Mental Health Act has the potential to be a good thing in that it aims to give patients more autonomy and choice and ensure that they are treated with respect.
National Security and Serving the country
The Hillsborough law is a good thing: a new legal duty on public servants and authorities will ensure greater accountability.
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill also has the potential to be positive and is consistent with the God-given responsibility of governments to protect its citizens from harm. Today that must include online harms and protection from cyber hacks which can cause such devastation and grief.
Conclusion
What I’ve tried to do with this response is approach it biblically, but also hedge my bets because a lot remains to be seen. The ‘devil’ is always in the detail.
Assessing public policy from a Christian point of view is also hard work. Yes, we have our principles. But the world of policy is often a grey world, with parts you agree with and parts you disagree with on any piece of legislation.
As a follower of Jesus, my highest allegiance is to Him and to His Kingdom. And because His Kingdom has broken into this world and because I’m commended to pray for it to grow and because all the nations will one day be under Jesus’ Lordship (Revelation 11:15), this compels me to engage in public policy.
From this King’s Speech, there are Bills that have the potential to promote human dignity and flourishing. And there are Bills that could see God-given authority structures like families and the church undermined.
At CARE, where there is good, we will praise it and support it. Where there is evil, we will oppose it and make the case for a better way. For all of us, let me encourage you to pray for wisdom for the government, for civil servants, for MPs and for Peers as they now get on with scrutinising and passing new laws. May they all know God’s help, and may He overrule.