Andrea Leadsom
Andrea Leadsom MP

The reasons Andrea Leadsom MP has given for pulling out of the Conservative leadership race seem perfectly plausible but do not totally convince.

Eighty-four colleagues supported her, but she said, “Nevertheless, this is less than 25% of the parliamentary party and after careful consideration I do not believe this is sufficient support to lead a strong and stable government should I win the leadership election.”

WHAT IS THE LORD SAYING?

She went on: “There is no greater privilege than to lead the Conservative Party in government and I would have been deeply honoured to do it.

“I have however concluded that the interests of our country are best served by the immediate appointment of a strong and well-supported prime minister.

“I am therefore withdrawing from the leadership election, and I wish Mrs May the very greatest success.”

Those of us who believe it was only of the Lord’s grace and mercy that Leave won in the #Brexit referendum and even that Mrs Leadsom reached the ‘final two’ at the expense of Michael ‘don’t talk about creation’ Gove will need to be seeking the Lord anew.

We were initially encouraged about her success in the ballot by news that Mrs Leadsom was attending a Christian meeting in Westminster.  A day or so later it emerged that she scoffed at sexual purity and was offended that people might not vote Tory because of David Cameron’s gay marriage law.  This was the talk to which she objected – but then again, three years are a long time on one’s Christian walk.  Mrs Leadsom may have found a deeper faith than was exhibited on that night in 2013 and when in the same year she deliberately abstained by walking through both Aye and No lobbies on both Second and Third Reading of the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill.

ABUSE TOO GREAT

The BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg said “the abuse has been too great” for Mrs Leadsom during the contest, especially following ill-judged comments in a weekend newspaper interview.  Mrs Leadsom apologised to Theresa May earlier today after appearing to suggest in that interview that being a mother made her a better candidate for the PM job.

Even to appear to look askance at Mrs May because she has not born children could be seen as crass and cheap. It did display a lack of street-wise judgment. All the same, The Times journalist Rachel Sylvestor certainly made the most of it.  The Conservative blogger Archbishop Cranmer was sympathetic to Mrs Leadsom.

All the same, such stuff happens. Any politician should expect it. The story could have been faced down and moved to the sidelines of debate over six weeks of hustings meetings in the Tory shires. A 60-40 reputed May advantage could have been overturned. The party faithful will feel cheated and some will claim Mrs May has a lack of democratic mandate.

BORIS LOST HIS NERVE

It has been going through my mind that you simply do not put yourself forward for the position of leader, get yourself short-listed down to the final two, only to pull out when the going gets tough. However badly you think the numbers are stacking up, you just don’t do it. It isn’t respectful, either of colleagues, the party or the nation. It isn’t dignified. It is neither thoughtful nor organised. Something else must have been brought to bear. What if the BBC’s Laura has it wrong? What if Mrs Leadsom was ‘got at’ in some other way. One would not be surprised.

Boris Johnson was backing Mrs Leadsom’s leadership bid. Had he not lost his nerve when Leave won, he could now be challenging Mrs May. He now says he has “no doubt” Mrs May will be an “excellent” leader and prime minister. He was “encouraged” by Mrs May’s statement that “Brexit means Brexit”, and added: “It is vital that we respect the will of the people and get on with exploiting new opportunities for this country.”

FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

But will unfettered immigration, the major issue of the referendum, come to an end as the people have demanded? WIll Brexit mean Brexit-lite?  If continued freedom of movement is demanded as the price of staying in the Single Market, the latter will have to go.  It will be a bluff anyway.  There are four main reasons why the Germans will back down: Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagon and BMW.  Other countries actually manage to trade with the EU without being in the Single Market.  The USA and India, to name just two.  And other nations across the world are now queuing up to do trade deals with the UK.

UKIP MEP Julia Reid said today: ‘We would like to see the UK leave the EU completely.  We don’t feel that we need to be part of the single market, because countries like New Zealand, Australia, China and the US export goods into the single market, but they are not part of the single market.  There is no freedom of movement of peoples between those countries and the EU. We would like to be in a similar position.’

But will Mrs May’s negotiating team have the confidence, courage and commitment to call the EU bluff?

We are where we are. Mr Arron Banks, UKIP’s financial backer, said just this morning that he and UKIP will be holding Mrs May to account. It’s not over until it’s over.  We should keep praying the Lord to remember mercy and keep ministering his prophetic word to our leaders.  One obvious and immediate point of prayer could be a strong Leave and indeed Christian presence in Mrs May’s Cabinet and Ministerial appointments.

 

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29 COMMENTS

  1. 1. WE pray for Kings, rulers and those in authority. We pray that God will move in the life, heart, spirit, soul, thinking, decisions of Theresa May. Especially in choosing Cabinet. Education Secretary. Foreign Secretary etc

    2 Timothy verse 1-2

    A Call to Prayer
    1First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men 2for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. 3This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,…

    2. Christians were mandated to do this when Caligula, Nero, etc were the rulers.
    God has bent or moved Pharoah, Nebucanezzar, Darius, Cyrus, David to His Will.
    Rulers like King John (Magna Carta), Henry 1 (shires), Richard 3 (Habeas Corpus) , Henry 8 (Bible in English), James 1 (Authorised Version), Cromwell (let Jews back into England after 350 years of being banished by Edward 1), and many Prime Ministers who were not morally or doctrinally perfect (Lloyd George franchise extended to all adult males and most females) have blessed the nation through the prayers of God’s People.
    It is our prayers, repentance, forgiveness, blessings not the character nor theology of the leader which is decisive.

    3. He raised up Deborah in Judges 4 and 5. I confess I thought it was Andrea. I was wrong. But I think that God wants us to have a Deborah meets Gideon which links to Psalm 83 coming war which refers back to their victories for The Lord in retaking the land, defeating the enemies and moral revival.

    4. We give thanks to God for the Leave vote, mantra that ‘Brexit means Brexit’ from the mouth of the new Prime Minister and that we have now heard from God who knows best (better than me).

    5. Recall July 1990 who was Saddam Hussein ? August 1990 oh the Iraq guy who has just invaded Kuwait ! Praise God that the Prime Minister Theresa May is in place in case we get another major incident or international decision which only God can forsee rather than a semi-detached outgoing PM on his farewell tour.
    We give thanks for our new leader.

    6. Pray for the health of the economy. Regardless of detail, Pinewood Studios saying Brexit is great for their business. Pray for feelgood and for Remainers (especially Christians) to quickly catch up with God’s Decision and Lead (and IMHO prophecy in the Bible).

    7. Pray that if ( as IMHO we are) the Merchants of Tarshish (Ezekiel 38 verse 13) that the UK and the young lions thereof (former Empire, colonies and Commonwealth) will be be blessed viz trade, enterprise and that we can serve the Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ and when needed help the Jews in need get home to Israel from any point in the world (Isaiah 60 verse 9 and Jeremiah 16 verse 16 and Ezekiel 36) and in general seek the Genesis 12 verse 3 blessings and Deuteronomy 28 verses 1 to 14 blessings.

    8. Pray for The new Prime Minister to pick just the team of Cabinet Ministers and junior ministers which God in His Perfect wisdom wants. If early election pray Christians become candidates for vacant Conservative Parliamentary candidates.

    9. Pray that the Opposition parties pick leaders and reposition as God wants. Ukip (perhaps best chance for Bible Christians to break into policy making) seeking new leader.
    Labour leadership challenge and possible split thereafter which will also split local councls changing control of many councils. Maybe new hope for Christians.
    LibDems. God alone knows.
    Greens also seeking at least one new leader (maybe a job share – serious suggestion from within Party).

    10. Pray the Tory activists and MPs supporting Andrea forgive and bless her for pulling out for reasons which do not add up (and I have to assume God simply over ruled because He knows late July, August and early September need a new PM in place).

    In all things praise God.

    11. I especially recommend that we all pray businesses approach Israeli Embassy in London to seek out trade links (Genesis 12 verse 3 and Psalm 122 verse 6).

    12, If in doubt praise and thank God.

    Romans 11 (after Paul has fathomed salvation doctrine)

    33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!
    34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”
    35 “Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”
    36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.

    then take the advice of a humbled ruler from daniel 4

    34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

    His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
    35 All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.
    He does as He pleases
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
    No one can hold back his hand
    or say to him: “What have you done?”

    PRECISELY …
    He does as He pleases
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
    No one can hold back his hand
    or say to him: “What have you done?”

    36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

    God bless you all

    • Thank you for all your suggestions.
      I don’t know how long you have been in this country to which you declare such allegiance, but it is normal to use the notation Richard III, Henry VIII , etc. I point this out merely to help you in future.

      I somewhat doubt if many Christians were praying for Jews to be allowed back into England at the time of Cromwell. Cromwell wanted some rich Jews from Amsterdam to facilitate improved trade with the Spanish territories which they were already in contact with. Clergymen were opposed to this, there had to be measures to avoid anti-semitism, and London merchants tried to get the restored Charles II to revoke it (which he didn’t, because he had had financial assistance from continental Jews himself).

  2. Here’s my opinion, for what its worth: only national repentance can save this country, otherwise we will be handed over to the muslims like ancient Israel was to the Babylonians, only this is the End Times, it will culminate in the return of the Lord. I believe the same is true of USA, Europe and all of the West. I believe Obama is the Antichrist, and pope Francis could well be the False Prophet.

    I believe that yes, the Lord answered the prayers of His people and granted us victory in the Brexit vote (by a VERY narrow margin, quite easy for the Remainers to demand a re-run or otherwise manoevre to ignore it). Likewise Trump is, imo, a glimmer of hope. I believe the powers that be will do their very best to frustrate Brexit, and they hate Trump. Will this glimmer of hope prevail? Personally, I don’t think so. I believe times are so dark, people so wicked, so hard-hearted, that they will not repent. Yes, times have been dark before, before revival, I know nothing is impossible with God and that we must pray for Him to be merciful, etc, I just don’t think we will have revival in my personal opinion. I think only Judgement awaits, the Tribulation will start soon.

    Perhaps I’m wrong, of course.

    • I think you may be wrong. I don’t see that staying in the EU or voting for Hilary Clinton would be so very very wicked. I do wonder if calling Obama “the antichrist” might be considered libel ?

      • The EU is a self-consciously revived Roman Empire. Staying in it put us on collision course with the King of kings and prejudiced the UK’s economic and physical security. Honestly! Have you not seen any of my videos? Does calling Obama ‘the antichrist’ lower him in the esteem of a reasonable person? Then he might have a cause of action. For me, I don’t think the antichrist is someone leaving office in January.

        • others suggest he may manufacture a crisis and declare martial law (he has apparently given himself the power to do so, by his Executive Order), and suspend the POTUS elections if Trump looks like he will win, leaving him (obama) in power. Will the many controversies surrounding Hillary finally put paid to her? She stood aside for Obama 8 years ago, now she wants payback, her whole life has been dedicated to being POTUS.

          The only problem I have with obama being the Antichrist is that he has no apparent connection with the EU that I can see.

    • Hi Mark

      I watched a video on YouTube of a man accusing Obama of being the Antichrist, Obama replied by saying ‘I too believe Jesus is lord.’ Although I from the start knew Obama was part of the devil’s plan as he was pro choice, if he were the Antichrist he could not have said Jesus is lord.

  3. I don’t trust Theresa May she may say she will get us out of the EU but Edward Heath also said in January 1973 we would never lose sovereignty, however his government had already handed over all our legal system including acts of Parliament to be overridden by European law in 1972. looks like I’ll still be voting UKIP I advise all those that want us out of the EU to do the same. God Have Mercy on us.

    Section 2(4) of the European Communities Act 1972 states that:

    The provision that may be made under subsection (2) above includes, subject to schedule 2 to this Act, any such provision (of any such extent) as might be made by Act of Parliament, and any enactment passed or to be passed, other than one contained in this part of this Act, shall be construed and have effect subject to the foregoing provisions of this section.

    Section 3(1) of the European Communities Act 1972 states that:

    For the purposes of all legal proceedings any question as to the meaning or effect of any of the Treaties, or as to the validity, meaning or effect of any Community instrument, shall be treated as a question of law (and, if not referred to the European Court, be for determination as such in accordance with the principles laid down by and any relevant decision of the European Court or any court attached thereto).

  4. The people decided on BREXIT, and we now have a new Prime Minister who has repeatedly said on the record: ‘BREXIT mans BREXIT’ – and today said: ‘We will make Brexit succeed”. Let us rejoice and give thanks, first of all. Of course we must also pray that we shall continue to have freedom to promote the Gospel, and, without seeking to cause offence, be allowed to offend, even if only by informing our fellow citizens that they are sinners in need of a Saviour. Whether God has answered our prayers on this matter I cannot say. But what I can say is that He knew the precise result of the referendum, and the date it would take place, long before Cameron decided on the date.

    • I hope you’re right but remember the lies of Edward Heath. The
      Conservative governments have been the most pro EU. Even Thatcher only really came out against it with a national TV broadcast calling for an in out referendum when she was finished. The Conservatives got us in and have kept us in. It appears at the top of the Conservative party is the influence or even control of big business and banks. If it’s MPs are not in line they go.

  5. Before the kingdom of Israel, there were only judges, presiding over comparative anarchy, when, for want of a king, individuals did as they saw fit. Some of those judges had messy, imperfect lives.

    I have often heard preachers portraying this early period in Israel’s history as some sort of liberal dark age, which (they suggest) was happily brought to an end when the authoritarian Saul ascended to the newly-created throne, because the people had wisely clamoured for Samuel to anoint a king, so that Israel could be like other nations, and God had graciously answered their righteous prayers, providing them with a simply wonderful king in Saul.

    But my bible gives a rather different spin from those preachers, on the true nature kingdom of Saul, and downside of the end of the chaos that had preceded it, and the rights and wrongs of Israel’s looking for a king to be the nation’s saviour and figure head in the first place.

    Hold onto your hats. We’re in for a bumpy ride.

    Resist the temptation to try to guess God’s plan, when He hasn’t revealed it.

  6. It’s much clearer if we look at the preceeding section that we lost sovereignty back the despite Heaths lies: –

    Section 2(1) of the European Communities Act 1972 states that:

    All such rights, powers, liabilities, obligations and restrictions from time to time created or arising under the Treaties, and all such remedies and procedures from time to time provided for by or under the Treaties, as in accordance with the Treaties are without further enactment to be given legal effect or used in the United Kingdom shall be recognised and available in law, and be enforced, allowed and followed accordingly; and the expression ‘enforceable Community right’ and similar expressions shall be read as referring to one to which this subsection applies.

    Section 2(2) provides a general power for further implementation of Community obligations by means of secondary legislation.

    Section 2(4) of the European Communities Act 1972 states that:

    The provision that may be made under subsection (2) above includes, subject to schedule 2 to this Act, any such provision (of any such extent) as might be made by Act of Parliament, and any enactment passed or to be passed, other than one contained in this part of this Act, shall be construed and have effect subject to the foregoing provisions of this section.

    Section 3(1) of the European Communities Act 1972 states that:

    For the purposes of all legal proceedings any question as to the meaning or effect of any of the Treaties, or as to the validity, meaning or effect of any Community instrument, shall be treated as a question of law (and, if not referred to the European Court, be for determination as such in accordance with the principles laid down by and any relevant decision of the European Court or any court attached thereto).

  7. God’s timing is always perfect and His ways higher than our ways. Andrea displayed great grace and dignity in her withdrawal from the leadership contest. In the face of trial-by-media, she was calm and generous and a great Christian witness. I shall pray for her that she continues to show these qualities in increasing measure as she works both in the House of Commons and her constituency. Who knows what God has in store for her in the future?

  12. Anyone who wants to be convincing about the wisdom of leaving the Single Market needs to show why the authors of Flexcit are wrong. They will have a tough job making a convincing case, if only because they would have 400-odd pages to read first. Disentangling ourselves from EU hegemony will take many years, much patience and the wisdom of serpents. Our Lord’s remark in Luke 16:8 is rather enigmatic – “for the childen of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” but it seems to apply in these matters.

  13. I commented earlier on the question of leaving the Single Market. I believe that anyone suggesting that we do so should read Flexcit or watch the movie, available via the EU Referendum website.
    Seeing that Mr Cameron seems to have adopted a scorched-earth policy for his defeat at the referendum, we are in serious trouble.
    What now? It is a question whether in appointing particular individuals (e.g. Boris Johnson???) to lead Brexit, Theresa May is setting us up for a disaster. This would lead to another referendum when we would crawl back into the EU, as did the Irish and the Dutch.

  14. In addition, this from the EU Referendum website:
    ‘The Foreign Affairs Select Committee has just published its latest report, this one entitled: “Equipping the Government for Brexit”.

    ‘As to its substantive findings is what is a mere 18-page report, it agrees with the recent report of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy which concluded that the Government’s failure to engage in comprehensive planning for a potential Brexit before the referendum “indicated the prioritisation of political interests above national security”.

    ‘The previous Government’s considered view not to instruct key Departments including the FCO to plan for the possibility that the electorate would vote to leave the EU, says the Committee, “amounted to gross negligence”.’