It has been impossible to live in St Albans or Harpenden in recent weeks and ignore the American election.

It has had massive media coverage in the UK and the shock result has only increased the impact it has had on our lives.

How this will affect us in the future, by what happens to interest rates, trade agreements, climate change or freedom of movement, remains to be seen.

But one thing is clear: this has been a dirty campaign which has apparently disgusted most Americans and bemused the watching world.

The candidates have ended up attacking each other’s character more than putting forward their policies.

Whole people-groups have been condemned. The fight has not been a pretty sight.

The danger with this is that leaders are role models for others.

That is true in politics, in business, in local communities and in the Church.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has used the phrase ‘good disagreement’ on several occasions when attempting to help Christians understand differing points of view.

Sadly, there has been very little ‘good disagreement’ in the spectacle played out on our TV screens in recent weeks. The immediate reactions to the election result are equally worrying.

Not everyone is happy with the concept of disagreeing well, but it does allow for respect for others’ characters.

It promotes dignity. It enables real communication instead of the trading of blows.

We need more role modelling of such respect if the world is to have a healthy future.