{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Sgwrs Tei Bow","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.clarkeroberts.co.uk\/cy","author_name":"Clarke Roberts","author_url":"https:\/\/www.clarkeroberts.co.uk\/cy\/author\/clarke-roberts\/","title":"The Christian Case for the European Union | Bow Tie Talks","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"mPg7Oqpur6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarkeroberts.co.uk\/cy\/2016\/05\/08\/the-christian-case-for-the-european-union\/\">The Christian Case for the European Union<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarkeroberts.co.uk\/cy\/2016\/05\/08\/the-christian-case-for-the-european-union\/embed\/#?secret=mPg7Oqpur6\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;The Christian Case for the European Union&#8221; &#8212; Bow Tie Talks\" data-secret=\"mPg7Oqpur6\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/www.clarkeroberts.co.uk\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>","description":"This week saw quiet success for the Liberal Democrats. Across the country, people took to the ballot box to have their say in council elections, regional elections and mayoral elections. The Liberal Democrats were the only party to gain control of a council; the Liberal Democrats gained the most number of new councillors; the Liberal Democrats gained the highest increase in national vote share. This is proof that the values of liberalism and the Liberal Democrats did not die completely in the wake of our election defeat last year, in fact it shows that people are keen to see a return to the mainstream of liberal ideals. So now that the local elections are done with, everyone\u2019s attention will turn to the upcoming EU Referendum. Tim Farron spoke at great length during the party\u2019s Spring Conference back in March of unity, openness and equal opportunity for all; values which are better served inside the EU. If, like me, you\u2019re bemused and baffled as to the economic and business-related arguments of why Britain is better off in, may I suggest that we consider a different approach to back the IN campaign? Let\u2019s consider a Christian approach. Christians are all too familiar with the concepts of loving one\u2019s neighbour, being charitable and generally just being a good person. For most this probably comes naturally, but we all have those people in our lives who we\u2019d rather not see on a daily basis and so do everything in our power to avoid those awkward exchanges through gritted teeth. From time to time though, such an exchange cannot be avoided and so you smile and say \u201cgood morning\u201d as you cross paths, in order to ensure that any future situations that require cooperation, are not tarnished by ill-feeling and dirty looks from across the room. Our relationship with the European Union is far from perfect; I was on the side of voting to LEAVE not that long ago. No the EU is not entirely democratic and yes we have to give away some of our law-making powers as part of our membership, but what the LEAVE campaign seem to be absolutely rubbish at, is seeing the bigger picture. Let\u2019s return to our less-than-favourable work colleague example. No your working relationship with them isn\u2019t perfect and there are plenty of things about them you really aren\u2019t the biggest fan of, but you work together when it is needed in order to achieve great things in the interests of those you work for. Our involvement and cooperation with the EU follows a similar principle. By working together with our neighbours, we can achieve great things that benefit not just our country or the countries of Europe, but the world as a whole as issues like climate change and international terrorism are fought more effectively, when countries work together in order to achieve great things in the interests of the people to whom our politicians and representatives are responsible. That, is the bigger picture. But we\u2019ve heard [&hellip;]"}