THE great British public have pulled off an unexpected and unpredictable coup, an election result where pretty much everyone lost.

This is how most political commentators have described the recent General Election.

Far be it from me to venture into the overcrowded bear pit of party politics and the sometimes undignified horse-trading of votes and opinions that goes with it, but is there another way of looking at the result: not everyone loses, but no one wins.

And if no one wins then at a time of huge challenge for our nation as we renegotiate our place in Europe, reaffirm what it means to be a United Kingdom, re- assert the need for peace in Northern Ireland, and at the same time face the even bigger challenges of war, famine, climate change, and the mass movement of people, we will have to work together, seeking solutions which build consensus and serve the common good.

Some people are assuming there will be another election in a few months’ time.

I am praying that this election result will require people to work together and to rebuild unity in our nation and for the communities we serve.