A FEW days ago I was in a meeting with a group of senior leaders.

We were talking about good disagreement.

Strange as it sounds, the issues we discussed required us to reflect on when disagreements were simply differing perspectives and when those differing views and the values they promote were such that they had the potential to divide and separate.

We agreed that behind differencing perspectives there are differing priorities and convictions.

Acknowledging those differences and having the freedom to express them, enables us to challenge and sharpen our own opinions.

Without getting too philosophical about it there can be layers to this.

Those layers permeate through the fabric of our society.

A clear example is with the General Election campaign.

The differing manifestos have presented very different visions and the differing parties and visions represent diverging views that cannot simply be held by one group.

In the recent past there was a tendency for the major parties to compete in their manifestos for similar ground. This is much less so this time; the differences are marked.

There is, for those who hold strong political views, a bottom line that makes each party distinctive and requires them to be separate.

Paradoxically there is, overarching these different party allegiances, a common motivation to be active in politics for the common good of our nation.

The recent acts of barbarism and callous terrorism on Waterloo Bridge in London and then in Manchester are events that distress and trouble all civilised people.

Our values of decency and humanity cause us revulsion and our justified condemnation of such acts of hate.

The fact that all political parties suspended their campaigns as a result was a wonderful mark of respect for those in pain and loss.

As a nation we understand that what holds us together is far greater than what divides.

Differing parties are essential and properly exercised healthy. They are a vital layer of society.

However at another more significant level our united commitment to the common good and the freedom to live and enjoy public space safely must be a priority.