From all appearances this looks to be just an ordinary field. And yet here at Runnymede, just up the road from Newbold College, the Magna Carta (Latin for 'the great charter') was sealed by King John in June 1215. In this document the aristocracy and barons listed 63 specific grievances against the King, calling for an end to his excessive and arbitrary government. Through its statement of liberties, it sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power and made it clear that the king was subject to the law, not above it.
I couldn't help but recall this historic occasion as I sat with Newbold colleagues watching another momentous event - Britain's first ever prime minister debates. Two days ago, representatives from the Labour Party, the Tory Party and the Liberal Democratic Party squared off before a live audience in Manchester and on national television to try to convince the electorate that the policies of their party would contribute best to the health of this nation.
Perhaps the single greatest problem with politics is that we focus more on gaining or retaining power rather than simply 'administering justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God' (Micah 6:8). May God grant us such noble leaders!
Yet, as was so clearly evidenced with the signing of the Magna Carta, the path to having noble leaders is to have an engaged citizenry. May God grant us both noble leaders and engaged citizenry as we approach this May 2010 election in Britain.
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