How did Tim Farron get to be leader?

Among the turmoil and tragedy of the past 10 days, you might have missed the resignation of Tim Farron as leader of the Liberal Democrats.

He stepped down because he couldn't reconcile his religious beliefs with being at the helm of his political party.

In his own words, he said, “remaining faithful to Christ" was incompatible with leading the Lib Dems.

At the root of his conundrum is his attitude to homosexuality and whether it a sin. He decided it was impossible to lead a progressive, liberal party in 2017 and live as a

Decided it was impossible to lead a progressive, liberal party in 2017 and live as a committed Christian

committed Christian and hold faithful to the Bible's teaching.

I hold no truck with Tim Farron's views on sexuality and equal marriage.

But I am troubled on two fronts.

Firstly, that such a conflict exists in 21st century Britain.

And secondly, that he became the Lib Dem supremo at all if he is in such an ethical bind. Imagine if his party now held the balance of power at Westminster. Would he still have stood down? Or would his principles have been quietly ditched for the lure of government?