(posted 7276 days ago)Times: Letters
April 27, 2004Archbishop's intervention in politics
From Mr David GraysonSir, I think it is legitimate for Rowan Williams to ask questions about our declining engagement with elected politics and respect for politicians and the political process. Iraq may be part of this, but I suspect that there are deeper factors.
For more than 20 years, we have been moving to a more professional political class; intellectually bright people, but perhaps with less of what Lord Healey used to call “hinterland” — a range of other life experiences to bring into politics.
This is compounded with more layers of elected offices; for example, devolution has yet to produce reductions in the size of the House of Commons. Nor should we fall into the trap of equating interest in politics in general, for example the environment or global poverty, with elected politics. There are a variety of ways that citizens concerned with political issues can contribute positively.
Yours faithfully,
DAVID GRAYSON,
19 Gilbert Road,
Kennington, SE11 4NZ.
April 26.