"I wanted to end my words with 'God bless the British people'"

Before we prayed, I thought I should confess this. “I’m afraid my father doesn’t believe in God”. I said.

‘“That doesn’t matter” my teacher replied “God believes in him. He loves him without demanding or needing love in return.”

‘That is what inspires, the unconditional nature of God love… in surrendering to God we become instruments of that love.’

He went on to give a revealing insight into how he felt unable to fully express his religious conviction while prime minister, an office he left in 2007.

‘ I recall giving an address to the country at a time of crisis. I wanted to end my words with “God bless the British people”,’ he said.

‘This caused complete consternation. Emergency meetings were convened. The system was aghast.

‘Finally, as I sat trying to defend my words, a senior civil servant said, with utter disdain: “Really, Prime Minister, this is not America you know.”