Ebook
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby sets out a radical vision for 21st century Britain in this updated paperback edition.
It is now three years since Justin Welby first published his Reimagining Britain. The fundamental message of that book remains as urgent as ever. But in this revised and expanded edition, Welby has taken fully into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit and all the social and political unrest that has ensued. If anything, the new edition of Archbishop Welby's book is even more important than its predecessor. Here is a radical vision for 21st century Britain.
The thesis of this book is that the work of reimagining is as great as it was in 1945, and will happen either by accident – and thus badly – or deliberately. Welby explores the areas in which values are translated into action, including the traditional three of recent history: health (especially public, and mental), housing and education.
To these he adds family; the environment; economics and finance; peacebuilding and overseas development; immigration; and integration. He looks particularly at the role of faith groups in enabling, and contributing to, a fairer future.
When so many are immobilized by political turmoil, this book builds on our past to offer hope for the future, and practical ways of achieving a more equitable society.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby sets out a radical vision for 21st century Britain in this updated paperback edition.
Revised and expanded paperback edition taking account of Covid-19 and Brexit with analysis of the social, cultural, economic and political impact
Following the example of his predecessor, Archbishop William Temple, who was instrumental in founding the Welfare State, Justin Welby reimagines the values necessary to radically rebuild Britain today
Any book by an Archbishop of Canterbury that ventures into territory regarded as 'political' is likely to excite both interest and controversy
The author's previous book Dethroning Mammon has sold to date more than 25,000 copies (print and e-book)
At a time of political turmoil when so many are immobilized, this is not empty rhetoric but a book that offers hope for the future, and practical ways of achieving it.
Preface
Introduction
PART ONE: WHY AND HOW TO REIMAGINE
1 Building on Our History
PART TWO: THE BASIC BUILDING BLOCKS
2 Family - Caring for the Core
3 Education - Life in All Its Fullness
4 Health - and Healing Our Brokenness
5 Housing - the Architecture of Community
6 Economics and Finance - Serving and Inspiring
PART THREE: VALUES AND GLOBAL CHANGE
7 The World Around Us
8 Immigration and Integration
9 For Those As Yet Unborn - Solidarity with the Future
10 The Key Actors
11 The Churches and Other Faith Groups - Healthy Disruptors
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Index
Timely, wise, humane, positive – just what is needed to focus the national debate on shared values and creating a better future, particularly for the half of the country left behind by 'modernisation' and 'globalisation.'
Justin Welby's voice is powerful and distinctive. He writes with verve and insight. Reimagining Britain is a work of supreme timeliness.
A brave, passionate and provocative case for community, courage and stability, not simply as concepts for debate but as foundations for practical change – for ourselves, for each other and for those we will never meet.
With an astonishing range of understanding and a perspective both global and granular, Justin Welby identifies values that are true to our heritage and fertile for our hope ... Archbishop Ramsey once told priests to be 'with God with the people on your heart'; here Archbishop Welby is with God with the nation on his heart, and the result is rigour and compassion in equal measure.
...this call to a strong sense of national narrative, collective responsibility and a shared moral code is both powerful and timely.
This is a book bristling with energy and ideas. Written against a wide canvas of historical narrative and critique, it is a fast-moving appeal for the fashioning of deeper virtue, expressed in action, in the form of a shared narrative of our identity and purpose.
This courageous and perceptive call to mobilise for the common good of Britain comes at a crucial time. No other leader has offered such a powerful combination of realism, depth and practical priorities.
Bigger than politics and broader than religion – a timely and inspiring read that requires response
An important contribution to understanding how the UK can not only move forward but flourish by reimagining its narrative of hope.
The archbishop of Canterbury's blueprint for a revitalised nation draws on values that cross religious and secular divides … Welby's book lifts our doleful eyes above the morass of Brexit to state some crucial truths.
[A] beautifully written and accessible account of Britain in a post-Brexit world, which starts from a point of hope, openness and generosity of spirit as well as a belief in the power of politicians to create the conditions for a self-confident and outward-looking country.
This is a bold, visionary book which deserves to be widely read
Justin Welby is the Archbishop of Canterbury. Before ordination, he worked in the oil industry, becoming group treasurer of a large British exploration and production company. He has for many years been closely involved in reconciliation work, both at home and overseas. He is the author of Dethroning Mammon: The Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2017.