The Rev Ian Galloway: Make the election year one to treasure with my five simple wishes

Published on Wednesday 23 December 2009 21:31

SOME of the really significant moments in 2009 were about events in the lives of some ordinary people who faced extraordinary events.

A young girl from Malawi called Precious Mhango and her mother Florence. A Libyan called Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi. A young woman called Nicola whose pal was murdered.

Those events were significant because they spoke of what we value as a nation, what nurtures and what damages our collective soul. Other moments that challenged us came from those because they were elected, or, in Sir Fred Goodwin's case, because he thought he was untouchable.

Precious is ten years old and has lived in Glasgow more than half her life, but she found herself on a plane about to be deported back to great danger, and only the actions of a few dedicated supporters (including her MSP) saved her, for now. She has been incarcerated in Dungavel and Yarl's Wood. What kind of nation locks up children to prove that they are not soft on immigration? It's not a nation I want to be part of.

Megrahi is the only man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. When it was discovered he had only months to live, emotions were mixed, but for the Kirk our response was clear. A show of mercy to one who least deserves it is to be truly and fully human. Many struggled with his release, but I believe we are stronger and better as a nation because of it.

At the Kirk's General Assembly in May, we heard from Nicola, who spoke of how her pal was murdered over a lawnmower. She was only saved from the spiral of depression, drugs and alcohol by the opportunity offered by a Church-based community radio station. Her story reminded all of us that lives can change on a conversation. The more we can do locally and creatively to open doors where all seem shut, the better life will be, not simply for those who are suffering, but for all of us.

MPs, or at least some of them, managed to give politics a bad name with household objects, (if you can call a duck house and a moat household objects). The expenses scandal was a metaphor for something much deeper, a real desire to effect change, so we all have more say in what happens not only to us, but also to our neighbour. It is care for the neighbour and not just themselves that MPs should concentrate on.

It's that same desire to love our neighbour that means we will be continuing to campaign against the introduction of Margo MacDonald's assisted suicide bill. Margo is a deeply compassionate person, and those of us who oppose her proposal would want to recognise that compassion.

But our concern is that there will be some unintended consequences of her proposals, which will create a set of pressures in other situations, which neither we, nor Margo, would want to happen.

Next year will see a general election. If ever there was a time to speak out, it is now. My manifesto for all candidates, whatever their political hue, would have four do's and one don't in it.

Do everything you can to end child poverty. Do end the detention of children seeking asylum. Both these damage the souls of those who suffer as a consequence, as well as the soul of the nation. Do everything you can to reduce greenhouse gases, as climate change is the biggest moral, political and social issue we face. Do use your vote to stop the renewal of Trident. Think of how that enormous sum of money could be used to alleviate poverty.

And don't vote for anything that brings about assisted suicide. Doing these things could do a great deal for persuading the people that there is value in politics and politics has values. Wouldn't that make 2010 a year to truly treasure?

The Rev Ian Galloway is convener of the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council.