England's Church Targets Its Own Past

A Growing Discontent with the Church of England

There is a growing sense of disappointment among many regarding the senior clergy of the Church of England. The institution, which locked its church doors during the pandemic, denied access to those seeking solace and sanctuary, now finds itself in a position where it entertains the idea of paying “reparations” for its historical involvement with slavery over 200 years ago.

This contradiction is further highlighted by recent events at Canterbury Cathedral, where infantile graffiti has been daubed on ancient masonry. This act, described as a "Graffiti show in cathedral 'more suited to a car park'," represents a new low for an institution that should be protecting these magnificent and awe-inspiring edifices.

The craven adoption of transient secular trends in the pursuit of "relevance" is seen as a squalid trademark of an institution that has lost its way. It remains to be seen whether the new Archbishop of Canterbury will bring about any meaningful change.

A Stain on the Church

As an organist, I have worked at churches that sing Gregorian chants, preach questionable theology, and think that "Shine, Jesus, Shine" is a hymn. However, graffiti in a cathedral is a literal and metaphorical stain on the Church of England, and a damning indictment of its self-inflicted troubles.

The fact that this installation is temporary and easily removable does not lessen the damage done. The 106th Archbishop of Canterbury faces a mammoth challenge to sustain the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Closer to home, she must ensure that churches remain churches, or else Canterbury Cathedral may become a skateboarding rink before it's too late.

The Contradiction of Graffiti in a Cathedral

The new art installation at Canterbury Cathedral strikes me as oddly incongruous. Graffiti, with its rich and rebellious history, has long been an art form of the margins, expressing voices outside the establishment. To commission graffiti within one of England’s most establishment spaces seems to strip it of precisely the context that gives it meaning.

While many have criticized the cathedral authorities for abasing a revered space, we should consider whether this installation disconnects the genre from its spirit and traditions.

ID Overreach and Control

I have signed a petition requesting a referendum on ID cards. In Spain, I cannot even buy a fridge or make an order from Ikea without entering my ID number. It is appalling and controlling. You are asked for ID when you buy a tyre for your car or have a repair done. Delivery drivers need it before leaving a parcel. Your bank needs it alongside additional photo ID. Every utility company wants it, as does every phone contract. This must be stopped.

Spain has no control over its immigration, and the black economy is many times greater there, so clearly it doesn’t stop illegal working. It just controls law-abiding quiet people and makes a mockery of freedom.

Simplifying Tax

Kemi Badenoch’s proposal to abolish stamp duty is a start. The UK tax code, fewer than 2,000 pages in the 1970s, is now the world’s largest at over 20,000 pages. A popular Conservative policy would be to throw it in the bin and start again. The party has nearly four years to devise a streamlined tax system ready to be implemented on day one of the next government.

A Special Memory of Margaret Thatcher

The excellent interview with Charles Moore brought back a very special memory of Margaret Thatcher. In 1990, I was halfway through my time in command of 10 Sqn RAF, equipped with the VC10. The prime minister insisted on traveling in this British-built aircraft. We had kept a meticulous record of all her trips in a pilot’s logbook and realized she was about to achieve 1,000 hours with the squadron: a significant milestone.

The logbook was made up, certified by the Chief of the Air Staff, and at the appropriate moment, the captain of the day and I presented Mrs. Thatcher with her logbook. She was delighted and insisted on champagne all round – except for the operating crew.

Very poignantly, this was the last time she ever flew with us as she was removed from office a few weeks later. Shortly after, I found myself flying the new prime minister, John Major, on his first trip overseas to visit troops prior to the Gulf War.

Reciprocal Rights for British Travelers

Post Brexit, while EU citizens can visit the UK for up to six months in a year, British citizens visiting the Schengen Area must abide by a rule limiting our time there to 90 days in a rolling 180 days. This rule is complex, and I needed an app to measure our time at our holiday home in Portugal.

The Government should use the opportunity of the youth movement negotiations to include reciprocal rights for the movement of British travellers to the Schengen Area for any six months in a 12-month period.

Defining Belonging in Modern Britain

While viewing properties with my parents in Ealing, we were subjected to racial abuse by a black British man who shouted that we should “go back to our country.” My family came to Britain from Hong Kong under the British National (Overseas) visa route, determined to contribute and integrate.

Yet the attack came from someone born here, likely descended from immigrants. This encounter left me wondering what belonging truly means in modern Britain. Is it a matter of birthplace, or of behaviour?

Bread Making Hacks

There has been some debate over whether to make bread with a machine or by hand. The best way is to use the dough cycle to do all the hard work, then transfer it to a bread tin for the final rise and baking. Everyone then believes that you have done it all by hand, so you get all the credit and praise for no effort.

Mobile Phone Addiction

I hope parents take heed of what the Princess of Wales has advocated regarding mobile phones. They are an addiction, and often I see parents out with their children who are ignored in favor of that little box. No wonder the children want to get hold of it.

Among the ills that the mobile phone has brought upon us, the Princess of Wales could also add the growing number of people who seem to think it’s okay to have conversations with their mobiles on speaker, watch TikTok videos, listen to music, or play games with the volume on.

A Simple Solution for Phone Use

We have a small group that gathers in our favorite curry establishment, and before any food is ordered, we ask for an empty poppadom basket. When this has been provided, all our mobile phones are put in the basket. If yours rings during the course of the evening, you pick up the entire tab.

Not rocket science, but ever so effective in ensuring that all phones are turned off.

True Conservatives vs One Nation ‘Wets’

I very much liked Kemi Badenoch’s conference speech and would love to rejoin the party she leads. However, I fear it is still home to too many One Nation “wets.” They point the finger of blame squarely at David Cameron and his Chancellor.

Too many Cameronians remain, and I believe they will keep silent or say whatever they think voters want to hear. Then, if returned to power, they will oppose the truly Conservative policies that Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick might try to pursue.

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