Church of England refuses to leave legislature

Monday, 7th September 2009
By Matt Cresswell

The Church of England has rejected suggestions from Jack Straw it will give up its seats in the House of Lords without a fight.

Ending the association would be a "retrograde step", a spokesman told politics.co.uk, after heavy hints from the Justice Secretary last week that bishops may no longer be welcome.

Mr Straw told an Unlock Democracy seminar the exclusive presence of the Church of England among Britain's religions in parliament was "anomalous" but refused to indicate whether he believed, in a predominantly elected House of Lords, their historic place should be protected.

He said he hopes a transition to an elected House of Lords will take place over three parliamentary cycles, meaning the decision on whether to go to an 80 per cent or 100 per cent elected chamber will not have to be taken for some years. "My own guess is the Church of England may come to a view [over the next 10 years] that it is not appropriate for bishops to be in the legislative chamber," the Justice Secretary suggested. the rest