In response to the present media frenzy and the depth of public concern over the issue of MPs’ expenses, the Charities Parliament hosted a special ‘Question Time’ style event.

‘Finding Hope: Restoring Trust in Politics and national Life' was chaired by Steve Chalke (Oasis Founder) with guest panelists including:

Andy Reed MP - Labour
Alistair Burt MP - Conservative
Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali - Bishop of Rochester & member of the House of Lords
Ruth Gledhill  - Religion Correspondent for The Times
Dr. David Landrum - Senior Parliamentary Officer for the Bible Society

‘Finding Hope’ was an opportunity to put your views about the current crisis of confidence in our parliamentary system to Christians involved in Westminster, in an honest and thought provoking setting.

Audience questions from the evening included:

• Why are severance packages still available for departing discredited MP’s?
• Do the panel think that Christian political parties will help or cause further split with secular society?
• Are the media themselves partly to blame for the distrust and suspicion with which the public view public service? “The world gone mad” attitude has contributed towards the rise of the BNP.
• Do you think we do too little to reward MP’s and journalists with gratitude when they do things we appreciate and to criticism and the fear of criticism becomes the tone of public discourse? 
• Does scandal of Parliament let the rest of us off the books? If we get the MPs we deserves (or even maybe not!) has the time for “Citizens Integrity Pledge” for honesty in private and public life?
• How do you see the involvement of the younger generation in the shaping of our country as future leaders? 

Click on the audio file below to listen to the discussion from the event: