What an interesting night! I was riveted to the counts last night as this election turned in results that were surprising, contradictory, and showed no real pattern. It was amusing to see Peter Snow not really able to deduce any patterns or reliable predictions until late in the night.

It was clear from around 1.30 that Labour was going to form an historic third government. It was unclear, though, about what size majority and in Kent, particularly, Labour MP’s were saying they had lost while Michael Howard said with smugness that he was confident of winning every seat in Kent.

My heart sank as I personally know 3 labour MP’s in my part of Kent who quite literally work their socks off for the area. I am sure that even if I was not a Labour supporter I would still have to vote for these guys just because of their commitment to the area. They have served the area well, do not just apear at election times, and have a real passion for the area to succeed and get a good deal. I gave up waiting and went to bed at 4.30 not knowing what the situation was in Kent. Great jubilation this morning, though, to see that these guys did win their seats back. It was mighty close with majorities of only 78 and 254.

My over-riding emotion this morning is one of relief as I genuinely fear what a Tory government would do to this country; to our education and health system, to how we view people looking to escape wicked regimes and shelter in this country, and how they would progress, or not, policies to eliminate world poverty.

People have challenged my vote due to Iraq. It has been a big moral issue for me, as I was against the war and still feel that it was necessary. I do see, however, that when presented with ‘evidence’ by those you should be able to trust (military experts)then a mark of a strong leader is to make a decision based on what is in front of you. I do not think this is arrogance; I think this is strong leadership and moral leadership when you don’t have to guess too much that the decision will cost you votes.

I know have hopes. I do think a reduced majority can only be helpful for the good of the country. It will mean open debate will determine the make-up of future policies. I hope that this government will remember again how to listen to people and I hope that we, as Christians, will learn new ways of influencing and getting our voice heard.

The election shows that, for many people, trust was indeed an issue. It cannot be helpful for a country to be so dis-trusting of its leader. We need to be praying now for a re-establishment of that trust, for right decisions to be made, and, ultimately, for God’s will to be done.