The Revd John Marsh, moderator of the general assembly of the URC, believes that the Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition may provide the UK with a unique opportunity to rebuild public trust in political institutions and the democratic process.  Despite the clear differences in their policies - particularly over electoral reform, Europe and the economy - the two parties have expressed their commitment to work together in the national interest over the next five years.

In his first speech as Prime Minister, David Cameron highlighted the priority of rebuilding trust in our political system; talking about the need to clean up MP’s expenses, reform Parliament and to make sure that the general public are in control, with politicians acting as their servants and never their masters. ‘However,’ the moderator  said, ‘public trust will not easily be regained in the aftermath of the expenses scandal , and the ‘new politics’ espoused by David Cameron and Nick Clegg will need to be translated into meaningful action at Westminster and in the local constituencies, if it is to achieve the desired outcomes in the years ahead.’

‘As the church we are well acquainted with coalitions’, he added. ‘After all, we are the community of the incompatible , called to be a sign to the world of disparate people and traditions summoned to be God’s own people to proclaim the mighty acts of him who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light.’

The moderator urged Christians to pray for the Prime Minister and his deputy as they continue to put together their Cabinet and Ministerial team. Mr Marsh concluded, ‘Let us hope that their commitment to the common good, and to cooperative politics, will withstand the storms that await them as they consider the challenges related to the fiscal deficit, unemployment, immigration, climate change and the war in Afghanistan.”