Humanists UK welcomes amendments to remove bishops from House of Lords
Publisher: In-Sight Publishing
Publisher Founding: September 1, 2014
Publisher Location: Fort Langley, Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Publication: Freethought Newswire
Original Link: https://humanists.uk/2024/10/17/humanists-uk-welcomes-amendments-to-remove-bishops-from-house-of-lords/
Publication Date: October 17, 2024
Organization: Humanists UK
Organization Description: Humanists UK is the operating name of the British Humanist Association. We are a charitable company (no. 228781), formed in 1896 and incorporated in 1928, and registered in England and Wales. Our governing document is our Articles of Association, which can be viewed here.
MPs have rallied to support amendments to a government bill to remove the automatic right for 26 Church of England bishops to sit in the House of Lords. The amendments follow cross-party MPs calling for reform during the second reading of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill. Humanists UK has welcomed the amendments and urges MPs from across the chamber to back this progressive reform.
The amendments to the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill would see an end to the 26 reserved places for Church of England bishops in the House of Lords. If selected, they will be voted on during the Committee Stage of the Bill, the date for which has not yet been announced.
The Labour Party under Sir Keir Starmer MP previously committed to transitioning the House of Lords to a ‘fully elected’ chamber, which would mean no reserved seats for bishops. However, it has not yet embarked towards removing the bishops.
If successful, the amendments would follow the recommendations of a 2020 report from the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group of MPs and peers in Parliament to remove this historic anomaly of automatic places for bishops in the House of Lords. The report highlighted that bishops get unique easy access to Government officials, that if a bishop stands up to speak then the convention is that everyone else has to stop and sit down, and that the bishops’ votes on new laws have been decisive in instances that have benefited the Church.
Removing automatic seats for bishops has overwhelming public support. Debates on this issue have been heightened in recent years as the Church of England’s political stance on civil rights issues has come into conflict with its status as an established religion. Inspired by the Church’s attitude to LGBT equality, Humanists UK patron Sandi Toksvig led a high-profile campaign last year to draw greater attention to the Lords Spiritual.
Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson commented:
‘We welcome these amendments which aim to deliver a more fair and equal society by removing the automatic right for Church of England bishops to sit in the House of Lords. There is no reason for leaders of one particular branch, of one particular religion, and one particular geography, within modern society to to enjoy such favour over all others, especially when considering that most people are not Anglican.
‘We ask MPs to back these sensible amendments to get on with reform without delay, and ask our members and supporters to call on their MPs to do the same.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about our work on disestablishment and bishops in the House of Lords.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 120,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
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