Coincidence theory

​It must have been pure coincidence that an invitation to Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, to chair some sort of Brexit ‘citizens’ assembly’ was announced the same day as Jeremy Corbyn’s meeting with opposition leaders. Perhaps I’m being too cynical, but the opportunity to squeeze a few words out of the reverend helped downplay the significance of the Corbyn initiative. Apparently Welby’s invitation was sent by some centrist MPs, including Labour’s Yvette Cooper. I have to count it as yet another attempt to stymie whatever Corbyn seeks to achieve on Brexit. But Corbyn has demonstrated an ability to move and to compromise, and continues, perhaps mistakenly in these divided times, to seek reconciliation between opposing camps. This was Welby’s thought too, although in his interview on the BBC’s PM programme he failed to say whether Jesus was in favour of Brexit or not. Surely there must be some opaque biblical reference that could be pressed into use here?