It is often said that we should act on climate change for the sake of our children and grandchildren’s futures. While this focus on intergenerational justice is certainly welcome, it obscures an important and urgent fact: climate change is destroying lives and livelihoods around the world now. To …
What can we expect from COP26 in Glasgow?
Make no mistake - COP26 matters a lot. As the UN Secretary General has said “The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable: greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk. Global heating …
Responding to the Budget
On Wednesday 27th October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced the Autumn Budget in the House of Commons. It’s hard to ground Budget statements in everyday reality – not least because different people and different political parties see reality very differently. At other times, …
Introducing Dave
It is a privilege to join the Joint Public Issues Team as interim Methodist Team Leader and Deputy JPIT Team Leader. I am a Methodist Presbyter who has served city-centre, inner city & suburban congregations in Manchester and London. I have also worked for Christian Aid as Senior Regional …
Reflections on the death of Sir David Amess
As a child, I used to sneak off into my Dad’s wardrobe and put on his ties. Formal wear adorned, I would address my teddies at a fantasy party conference. I used to learn extracts from historic political speeches and, in my best impression of 20th Century Prime Ministers, recite them (Neville …
What will it take to insulate Britain?
News over the last week has drawn attention to environmental protestors blocking roads in the south-east of England. The strategic blockages have been a huge headache to motorists going about their business, transporting parcels and food, or getting to work or the airport, and have led to at least …
Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration for COP26
This joint statement was released on 20th September 2021, ahead of the United Nations COP26 meeting taking place in Glasgow, in November 2021. You can find a poster version of this declaration to show in your church here. Our faith communities are united in caring for human life and …
The UK’s arms sales to human rights abusers
The Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair is taking place in London this week. The 2021 DSEI event demonstrates the need for a complete reassessment and overhaul of the UK government’s support for the UK arms industry, similar to that of 2007/2008 when the Defence …
Introducing Ryan
According to my mum, when you asked me as a child what I wanted to be as an adult I would reply (un-ironically) “Prime Minister!”. Whilst my lofty ambitions have tempered somewhat since then, politics, the way it shapes people’s lives and opportunities, remains extremely close to my heart. I am …
Meet Beth
Hello! I’m Beth, and I will be one of the JPIT/House of Commons Interns for this year. I’m from Bournemouth, on the south coast of England. I have moved to London in the last couple of weeks to start working for JPIT. I love the outdoors and getting to explore new places, so I am excited to get …