SPCK Publishing Looking Beyond Brexit: Bringing the Country Back Together

How do we move on from Brexit? How do we restore our deeply divided nation? The referendum may have rent the country asunder like no other issue in recent memory, but there are significant resonances with events in the past. Almost 500 years ago, in a sixteenth-century version of Article 50, Britain made a break from Europe, declaring the King – rather than the Pope – Supreme Head of the English Church.The split did not end the story. In the turmoil that followed, ‘fake news’ spread, families were divided and blood was shed.However, an attempt was made to find a peaceable solution. In this brief but powerful book, Graham Tomlin draws on that history to remind us of the age-old political and spiritual task of harmonizing past and future, identity and openness, the local and the universal. The events of the last three years have shown how polarization can affect even those who are naturally generous and accommodating; the challenge of rising above division, of loving our neighbours – and even our enemies – has never been greater for us all. Graham is regarded as a theologian of the first rank, a writer with a keen pastoral commitment, and celebrated for his common touch He has a strong Twitter following @gtomlin: ‘Husband, Father, grandfather, Bishop of Kensington, President of St Mellitus College. Sorry for all the tweets about Bristol City.’ He has been hugely influential in the growth of St Mellitus - one of newest, most dynamic and largest theological Colleges in the Church of England - and has been involved in training Anglican and other clergy for over 25 years His ministry as Bishop of Kensington in support of those involved in the Grenfell Tower tragedy (of many faiths and none) has been appreciated and much praised Boris Johnson tells us that after delivering Brexit, his second priority will be to unite the country. He has his work cut out. The Referendum has divided us like no other issue in recent memory How does the United Kingdom move on from Brexit? How do they restore their deeply divided nation? The referendum may have rent the country asunder like no other issue in recent memory, but there are significant resonances with events in the past. Almost 500 years ago, in a sixteenth-century version of Article 50, Britain made a break from Europe, declaring the King – rather than the Pope – Supreme Head of the English Church. The split did not end the story. In the turmoil that followed, ‘fake news’ spread, families were divided and blood was shed. However, an attempt was made to find a peaceable solution. In this brief but powerful book, Graham Tomlin draws on that history to remind us of the age-old political and spiritual task of harmonizing past and future, identity and openness, the local and the universal. The events of the last three years have shown how polarization can affect even those who are naturally generous and accommodating; the challenge of rising above division, of loving our neighbours – and even our enemies – has never been greater for us all. Autorid: Graham Tomlin