One of the more remarkable General Elections in our history was that in 1945 when Winston Churchill who had led the country to war-time victory was defeated and a Labour government, under Clement Atlee, came into power with a substantial majority.
People saw in Labour the possibility of a new and different future, whereas Churchill and the Conservatives talked of finishing the job.
Rooted in the 1942 Beveridge Report, it was to be the era of the National Health Service, the Welfare State, and a large increase in council housing.
There was the promise of a renewed society for all.
As I write this I don’t know when the lock-down will end and life will begin to revert to something more normal.
What I do know is that many people are already starting to think about the future and what we might learn, and take forward, from this testing time.
Can this be our period of renewal? A time when, despite the very real challenges and suffering, along with the impact on the financial well-being of many, there have been real signs of hope.
A hope epitomised by Bedfordshire’s wonderful Captain Tom Moore and his multi-million pound fundraising for the NHS.
Ask yourself, what is it that we might look to take forward?
How do we capture that promise of renewed society? Here’s my short list as a starter for ten.
- Love of Neighbour – It has been inspiring to see the way in which so many people have been ready to reach out to their neighbours, especially those in greatest need. Such care for the vulnerable must be treasured and continued.
- Common Purpose – Whether it is windows full of rainbows, people on their doorsteps applauding the NHS, or simply the commitment to stay indoors in order to save lives, there is in many places a deep sense of being united against this shared threat. After years where individualism has dominated, there is the hope of renewed common purpose.
- Care of our Planet – A by-product of the virus is that we are driving and flying so much less. We are walking and cycling more. It won’t remain like this, but just possibly we can do more on-line, be more discerning about which journeys are really necessary, and realise that hearing the birds sing is a joy not to be lost.
What’s on your list?