Sandi Toksvig calls for MPs to speak in debate on removing bishops from Lords

Humanists UK Patron Sandi Toksvig has backed a debate happening in the House of Commons on Thursday that is calling for an end to the automatic right of Church of England bishops to sit in the House of Lords. Earlier this year she called for the bishops to be removed over its opposition to conducting same-sex marriages, and the debate happening this week is a consequence of that. The debate was secured by Tommy Sheppard MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG). Humanists UK worked with the APPHG to organise the debate, which has attracted cross-party support.

26 Church of England bishops have the automatic right to sit, speak, and vote in the House of Lords. This does not reflect the diverse make-up of the UK. The 2019 British Social Attitudes Survey shows that the share of British adults belonging to no religion now stands at 53%, with just 12% identifying as Anglican. The bishops represent one denomination of one religion and one part of the UK at that. Further, they enjoy privileges over and above other peers including special consultation privileges prior to legislation being brought before Parliament, privileged speaking rights in the chamber (if a bishop stands to speak, all others are expected to shut up and sit down), and exemptions from the Code of Conduct.

In 2020 the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group published a report, Time for Reflection, that examined the presence of bishops in detail. It identified nine recent incidents where bishops’ votes have changed the outcome of legislation, including one where the bishops voted to exempt the Church of England from employment equality laws, and another where the bishops voted to give the Church more control over its state schools. The bishops also voted strongly against the introduction of same-sex marriages and have consistently opposed abortion and assisted dying.

Humanists UK patron Sandi Toksvig commented:

‘It’s time for a more inclusive and representative way of doing politics. In an increasingly non-religious society, reserved places for Church of England bishops sit at odds with our population and our values, especially given the Church’s steadfast opposition to same-sex marriages.

‘The removal of the bishops wouldn’t stop them from thinking as they please but it would enhance everyone else’s freedom of belief. We should strive for a Parliament that treats everyone equally. Although many call for wider reform, it’s a very sensible step towards better politics.’

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, commented:

‘The bishops in the House of Lords don’t represent my beliefs, my country, or indeed very many citizens across the rest of the UK. It is striking that the only other country with religious clerics in its Parliament as of right is Iran. It is simply outrageous and shows how overdue this democratic reform is. Here, just as there, religious clerics’ presence is a denial of others’ freedom of belief.’

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented:

‘Congratulations to Tommy Sheppard for bringing together cross-party MPs to call for an end to the bishops in the House of Lords.

‘We’ve spoken to MPs from up and down the country about this One thing has become clear: the clock is ticking towards change. Tradition does not justify this ongoing discrimination. It’s time for Parliament to take a progressive step so that it better serves and reflects our population.’

In 2022, the Labour Party announced it would replace the House of Lords with an elected Senate of the Nations and Regions, which would have the effect of removing the Lords Spiritual. SNP policy supports House of Lords reform on a similar scale, and Liberal Democrat and Green standing policy favours abolishing the Lords Spiritual. Humanists UK is urging MPs from all parties to recognise that constitutional reform of the Lords is growing increasingly urgent, not least because of the widening gap between our clerical legislators and today’s religiously diverse society.