MP Frank Field's Conversational Evensong

Speaks on a variety of topics at St Nicholas Church

The latest speaker in the series of Conversational Evensongs at St Nicholas was Frank Field MP, who talked about his long political career, his admiration for the late Margaret Thatcher, and his christian journey of faith.

The Labour MP for Birkenhead said how he had always felt it was important to face up to the issue of immigration and the reason why UKIP had become so popular was because the other parties had neglected to face up to it.

Frank Field originally ran the Child Poverty Action Group before becoming the MP for Birkenhead. He is a member of the General Synod and campaigned for women Bishops and for various issues about the environment. He told of how he first worshipped at St Nicholas ( he attended St Clement Danes, Hammersmith) and how his Christian journey began when his mother had a “Presence of God”.

One of the major issues that concerned him was modern slavery and his insistence on looking at the end of it was demonstrated by bringing in the Modern Slavery Bill. He felt that we should stop talking about Trafficking and use the word slavery, which is more appropriate. He also talked about his other concerns as an MP and remembered his days as a boy when he first became committed to issues of race. He has found that in talking with voters the ability to say “no” did not lose one votes.

Frank Field was quite outspoken about some other MPs and was particularly fascinating over his friendship with Margaret Thatcher, whom he much admired and said was excellent about making the right ecclesiastical appointments. He told an interesting story of his insistence in seeing her on the evening before the announcement of her resignation, when he told her, quite bluntly, that she was “finished” and should decide who should succeed her before the wrong person came forward.

This was the latest in a series held once a month when eminent speakers come and choose their favourite hymns, prayers and music and talk about their work. Previous talks have been given by Baroness Cox, the Dean of St Paul’s, the previous Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O Connor and other very interesting people.

When asked what his favourite item was, Frank said that it was his mother’s welcoming smile. His hobbies are music, theatre and reading.

This was another illuminating evening, which was well attended and it was good to hear the story of a man who has always been a campaigner for justice. We look forward to further talks and give thanks to Fr. Andrew Downes for arranging these inspiring evenings.

Simon Rodway

October 24, 2014