Christian values still so vital in life
Forbes and Fraser call for kindness in politics
Scotland’s new finance secretary told a Perth audience the public scrutiny she faces in her job is nothing compared to the “ultimate scrutiny” she faces from “the boss of all bosses.”
The SNP’s Kate Forbes and Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser were in Perth on Saturday (February 29) to attend a seminar entitled “In a post-secular modern society, is there a place for Christianity in politics?”
The event, organised by Perth Baptist Church, was compered by the Evangelical Alliance’s Kieran Turner, who is also a Labour activist.
Mr Turner opened the seminar highlighting previous “positive Christian influences” in politics such as John Knox and how he developed education in Scotland, and William Wilberforce, who led the movement to abolish the slave trade.
He then pointed to what he called “a paradox” where governments rely on the support churches provide in running much-needed shelters and food banks but dissuade politicians from bringing “God into parliament.”
Kate Forbes broke into the political limelight last month when she delivered the Scottish budget at short notice following Derek Mackay’s suspension.
The 29-year-old, crowned the ‘one to watch’ at the 2018 Scottish Politician of the Year awards, was widely praised for the manner in which she delivered the budget, making history as both the youngest and first female MSP to do so.
Within hours she was the bookies’ favourite to replace Nicola Sturgeon, but the Cambridge graduate says she has quickly learned not to get caught up in praise and that those who can be “a friend one day can be a foe the next.”
As soon as she was made finance secretary some turned on her appointment because of her Christian views on gender recognition.
The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch told the Perth audience the public scrutiny she was under was like being in a “fishbowl” but was nothing compared to the scrutiny she faced as a Christian from God.
She said: “I know the boss of all bosses and he sees everything I do - that’s the ultimate scrutiny.”
The devout Christian said her faith was her anchor, particularly in these past few weeks, and “just before it all kicked off”, she had been strengthened by the verse in Matthew 14: “Oh you of little faith, why do you doubt?”
Miss Forbes said: “When it comes to politics, we have lost our compassion to care for one another. ‘If I do not like your views, I hate you.’ It’s undermining the quality of our debate and it’s an unpleasant place to be.”
She praised her Conservative counterpart Murdo Fraser for reaching out and offering sympathy and support to Derek Mackay and his family when the allegations about him broke.
Mr Fraser tweeted: “Derek MacKay acted foolishly and is right to resign from the govt. Politics aside, I have always enjoyed working with him, and he is popular in his own party and across the parliament. I wish him and his family well in what will be a difficult time.” He later tweeted: “We should hate the sin not the sinner.”
Mr Fraser, who describes social media as a “cesspit”, said: “What he (Derek Mackay) did was very wrong and, it seemed to me, I had to express some sympathy for someone I counted as a friend and for his family. I have not changed my mind about that. I think that was the right thing to do.”
The Conservative MSP was heavily criticised but Miss Forbes said: “I think what Murdo did in terms of that tweet dramatically improved the reputation of the parliament.”
As the discussion moved on, Mr Fraser said while there was “still a distrust of anyone who takes that faith into politics” he thinks “generally people will respect you if you say you are a Christian” and said people respected Jacob Rees Mogg’s feelings on abortion were because of his Catholic faith.
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP feels this won more respect than trying to “fudge” things which he said was “the mess Tim Farron got himself into.” The Lib Dem stepped down as Westminster party leader because of the conflict between the role and his faith.
During the question and answer session, Kieran, Kate and Murdo were asked to what extent there was truth and integrity in Scottish politics.
Miss Forbes said: “I have got to consciously battle for integrity. It’s a conscious decision to have to be honest and truthful.”
She added: “I started in politics thinking people want to hear the truth but they want to hear what they want to hear.”
The Gaelic-speaking politican said William Wilberforce was one of her greatest heroes and “he did not make compromises.”
Mr Fraser, a former solicitor, said he too admired Wilberforce for not choosing political ambition over his desire to abolish the slave trade.
The final question was about US evangelist Franklin Graham’s tour of the UK being cancelled by every UK venue, including Glasgow’s SSE Hydro. Mr Turner described it as a “phenomenon of no platforming” and said “we are in very dangerous territory.”
Miss Forbes said there was a need to hear opposing views adding: “There’s no politics without debate.”
Mr Fraser said: “If we lose free speech, we lose democracy.”
Perth Baptist Church’s Harry Moseley was delighted with how the event had gone. He told the PA: “The political scene is changing. It’s becoming more and more secular.
“We are asking for society, as a whole, to be inclusive, not exclusive.”