Jesus said
"The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath"
Mark 2 v 27
Dear Prime Minister,
On behalf of our Council, may I convey our good wishes as you take up this most responsible position in leading our nation in the affairs of state. This is a most onerous task made evident with the recent events both in London and Glasgow. Be assured of our prayers for you, your wife and family during the coming days.
Following your appointment as Prime Minister, you have emphasised the importance of the family, and rightly so, for this has been a foundation stone for society throughout many generations. Many of our current ills are primarily due to the breakdown of family life, and this God-given institution needs to be restored to ensure the future well being of our nation. A loving family unit is of far greater value than power or prosperity.
To strengthen the family, we need to provide opportunities for the family to spend time together. There was a time when Sunday met that need, but recent legislation has undermined what was one of our nation's foremost Christian heritages.
The decision in November 2005 to remove restrictions on the opening hours of licensed premises has further escalated the problem of drink throughout our towns and city centres. The police and hospitals can verify this. The attempts to extend Sunday trading hours may appeal to the large supermarket directors whose sole purpose is to increase their market share, but creates an unstable family life for employees within the retail sector. Increased damage to the environment should also be a matter of consideration.
Identifying the causes of decline in the social and moral fabric of our national life is the first essential task towards eventual restoration. Is it too much to hope that we could attempt to rebuild a civilised society? Yes, we need a strong economy. We need to tackle all forms of crime and the causes of it. But we need to consider again the Christian foundations that made this country respected throughout the world.
In concluding, may I commend you on your decision to review the situation regarding an upgrading in the classification of cannabis and the change in policy with regard to the opening of super-casinos. If these changes take place, they will be steps in the right direction to stem the decline of family life.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Yours faithfully,
John Roberts