To be honest (lol), with so much going on in the world that is of an alarming nature and given my disillusionment with British politics, I have been paying less attention, than I would have once done, to when elections happen. Even so, I read here, with interest, the BBC account of what actually took place yesterday, election wise.

What took place was a by-election and the Green Party won by a convincing majority, with Reform coming a fair bit behind and just in front of Labour (who had won what was then considered as a safe Labour seat, in 2024), followed by, and a long way behind them, the Conservatives and Lib Dems and, followed by the Monster Raving Loony Party and a number of others we find typically stand on such occasions. If there was any surprise, it was not the electorate’s order of voting preferences but rather the size the Green majority.

I had almost forgot that there was going to be a by-election but, as UK politics watcher, that would have been remiss of me, especially given the voting pattern we are now seeing, even allowing for the fact that by-elections often bring out protest voters, is significantly different to what we saw in the 2024 General Election. As I have often said, I think using terms like ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ over-simplistic in categorizing voter types, because they do not accurately portray why people vote for Party X as opposed to Party Y, but let’s go with Left and Right for the purpose of this commentary.

I have made no bones about it but imho this Labour government is the worst I have seen in my living lifetime and this result shows if anything that many of those who voted Labour last time because they couldn’t stand the Conservatives have now become gravely disappointed with them. I am not a fan of any of the parties that stood in the Gorton and Denton by-election and, if I were able to vote, I would have done so on the basis who I thought would be the best candidate. Unless there was something about the Reform chap that would preclude my voting for him, he would have got my vote as his party ticks more boxes for me than any of the rest. This is a moot point with my detracting Christian friends, who see Reform as the nasty party and Greens as the nice one, given that, despite my reservations, Reform are a lot closer to my own values and priorities (a subject I reflected on in recent blogs and one I hope to revisit).

While not surprised about the Green win, and despite my own disappointment that the sort of political revolution I hope for is not taking place, I can’t say their candidate doesn’t mean well in her desire to see implemented some of (what would appear to be) the plausible intentions of the Green Agenda (but arguably aren’t – watch this space for reasons), along the lines of it being the new moral voice of compassion, justice and inclusion, but I believe that letting the Greens in to real power will be disastrous for Britain but no more so than keeping this failed Labour administration in power. I agree with a fellow watchman, who wrote: “We are at a crossroads culturally and politically. Britain must decide what moral framework will shape its future. Will it be rooted in historic Christian principles that shaped our laws, institutions and liberties? Or will it be shaped by a new ideological framework that redefines nationhood, borders, family and moral order? Every generation believes it is living in decisive times. This is a moment for clarity, discernment and courage”.

For me, what the election outcome demonstrates is how divided we are as a country, including a constituency I particularly care about – the Christian one. The solution is not a leftward one and deciding between Labour, Greens or LibDems. Neither is it a rightward one and deciding between Conservative, Reform or the newest kids on the block: Advance or Restore. Sadly, our political system is broken and the best we can do is vote for the best of a bad, or at least tainted, bunch. Without dismissing the need to be politically aware and involved, the only way to avert the disaster that is likely to befall on our unrighteous nation is that it turns to God!