Jesus said
"The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath"
Mark 2 v 27
Where does our Prime Minister stand?
On the 5th July 2011, Lord David Alton of Liverpool, asked Her Majesty’s Government if they had plans to amend the law on Sunday trading during the remaining term of the current Parliament.
The reply he received said, ‘The Government have not commissioned any research into relaxing Sunday trading restrictions, and have no plans to do so. The Government have no plans to change the law on Sunday trading.’
During the last Budget in March 2012, we were informed by the Chancellor, Rt. Hon. George Osborne, that the Sunday trading laws would be lifted during the period of the Olympic Games, but assured us that this was only a temporary measure. We were told it was necessary to take this step to accommodate the many visitors to the United Kingdom who would require the services of our retail establishments during the period of the Games.
On the 13th August, it was announced that some senior Government Ministers, believed to be led by the Communities Secretary, Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles, were pressing for a permanent relaxation of the Sunday trading laws. It was also reported that the Prime Minister was considering this possibility. The Business Secretary, Rt. Hon. Vince Cable reacted immediately by stating his opposition to such a measure, as have many Conservative back- bench MP’s.
All this comes as no surprise to this Society, as we expressed our deep concern in the last issue of this magazine. We strongly believe that the Government and the major superstores colluded together to bring this possible change about. Yet, despite George Osborne’s hopes, businesses in London, and other cities and towns across the country
have suggested that the Olympics deterred visitors and their profits shrank as a result. Talking to some of the managers and members of staff, in and around London, they have acknowledged that it was significantly quieter than normal during the period of the Games.
It seems Mr Cameron is in danger of pandering to the big retailers and thereby breaking his promise. On the one hand he says that he cherishes the country’s Christian heritage, then on the other he plans to trample upon our marriage laws, and abolish Sunday trading restrictions.
So, who will suffer if David Cameron decides to support the abolition of our Sunday trading laws? The immediate affect will be felt by Christians, shopworkers, suppliers, Local Authority staff and drivers who keep retail distribution on the road. However, the people to suffer most will be hard-working families who will have to give up their precious family time.
We must remember that our Christian heritage has played a vital part in protecting those families, whether they are Christian families or not, from the onslaught of commercialism and those who can see no further than economic prosperity. Remember, those who have gained the whole world , but lost their own soul have made a miserable bargain.
John Roberts