Saints and Heroes

How are Christians and others inspired to work together in government? What ideals do they have in common in this cynical age? One answer, known as English Idealism, was put forward by T. H. Green. It sprang from Christian belief and formed a public ideology. As a leading politician and churchman, Frank Field illustrates his understanding of English Idealism through the life and work of five people who have inspired him in his political career. He looks at: two Archbishops of Canterbury - the Temples, father and son - who helped to build up this public ideology; George Bell who, as Bishop of Chichester during World War II, had the courage to be a lone voice campaigning against the policy of obliteration bombing of German cities; William Beveridge - this country's key reformer of welfare; Eleanor Rathbone, one of the greatest M.P.s, who campaigned to build an inclusive citizenship.