A new era

Britain has economic and political problems of crisis dimensions. We need a strong, stable Government to tackle them. The voters gave no party an overall majority so a coalition is the only way to achieve this. Both parties have compromised to make the coalition possible and they could both be punished at the next election if they do not succeed. They seek to serve the national interest and they deserve our prayerful and patient support.

Martyn Eden, 12.5.10

No 10 in history making coalition

The new Prime Minister and his deputy met on the steps of Number 10 to begin the work of their new coalition government.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg have made history in forming what is the first coalition government in the UK for 70 years.

After days of uncertainty, Mr Cameron promised Britain a new type of leadership and, echoing the words of John F Kennedy, urged voters no longer to ask "just what you are owed, but what can I give".

Mr Cameron vowed to set aside party differences and Mr Clegg urged doubting Lib Dem voters to "keep faith with us".

He agreed to four further Cabinet jobs to senior Lib Dems - Vince Cable, David Laws, Danny Alexander and Chris Huhne.

George Osborne, 38, will become the youngest Chancellor of the Exchequer for 125 years, with Mr Cable as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Government sources said that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have agreed on fixed-term, five-year parliaments with immediate effect - meaning Mr Cameron will not be able to 'cut and run' by calling another election. The next national poll will be on May 7, 2015.

The appointment of Cameron followed Gordon Brown’s resignation and brought to an end to five days of tortuous negotiations in the wake of last week’s election, which resulted in a hung Parliament.

After falling 20 seats short of a majority, Mr Cameron was forced to accept a deal to lead with the Lib Dems.

Mr Cameron has now promised that the union will be a "full and proper" coalition between the two parties.

Britain voted. How must Christians respond?

Millions of British people voted in one of the most tightly contested General Elections for a generation. But then the UK woke up to a hung Parliament.

Steve Chalke, Founder of Oasis Global, Senior Minister of church.co.uk Waterloo and Christianity magazine columnist, calls Christians to action and prayer for our country.

This is an ideal resource to use during your Sunday service and engage your congregation. Please download the video.

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A prayer for our nation and our politicians following the General Election

You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; you hung the stars in space and balanced the world with your creative power. All of our days are in your hands.

We thank you for the privilege and responsibility of living in a democratic country. Today we find ourselves in a new situation. There are great decisions to be made and an uncertain future. So we pray for our political leaders:

We pray for those who have been elected to serve as MPs, and for those who will become ministers, that they will seek justice and serve with integrity and boldness. We particularly pray for our own local representative [ name ]. We ask that you will bless and help him/her as s/he seeks to represent our community.

We pray too for those who failed to be elected, that you will honour their service and guide their paths.

We pray for the leaders of the political parties, exhausted at the end of a long campaign. Give them renewed energy to match their calling, grace to set aside personal ambition or party advantage, and generosity to put behind them the barbs and irritations of the election as they search for a way forward for the good of our nation.

We ask for your help and guidance in the coming days as the party leaders negotiate, that they may develop a government and programme for the common good, so that our country may be governed well and peacefully, and your name may be honoured in this land and throughout the world.

We are conscious that in recent years human weakness and vanity has damaged our Parliament. We pray for the renewal and reform of our systems of government, that Parliament will become a place that is transparent, fair, accountable, and responsive, where your name is honoured.

Finally Heavenly Father, we pray for ourselves that we and all Christians in [ our town ] and throughout our whole country may love our neighbours and serve our communities, so that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We ask these things in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.

Promise to Vote

We would like to thank the 30,000 Christians who signed our Promise to Vote declaration. Your pledge to vote using your Christian conscience was and always is vital. Thank you for your support.

Together we showed Parliament that the Christian voice must be heard.

The Debates

In the run-up to the 2010 General Election we broadcast seven debates on the key issues. You can hear them again here.

In the six programmes Andy Walton and Martyn Eden heard from MPs from each of the three main political parties (Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats). In the seventh, they spoke to minor parties.

The debates took a look at the economy, crime and justice, international development and the family.

To hear them please click here.