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No more Bishops in the Lords! Here's why.

BHA's submission to parliament on the draft House of Lords Reform Bill

BHA's briefing on the draft House of Lords Reform Bill and White Paper

Holy Redundant: Remove Bishops From Parliament

Let your MP know that you think there is no good reason to keep reserved seats for Church of England bishops in a reformed House of Lords.

We've put some suggested text for an email to your local MP in the box below - please feel free to edit and add to it as you wish. There is no need to address your email with 'Dear...' as our system automatically addresses it to your MP.

If you have any other queries, please contact us at campaigns@humanism.org.uk.

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Feel free to use this box to add to the email text below

I am writing as your constituent to ask you to express my concern at the Government continuing to reserve seats in Parliament for bishops of the Church of England, particularly in light of the recent Church of England vote to not allow for women bishops.

I believe that having any reserved places for bishops in Parliament is unfair, unjust, and contrary to the aim of a more transparent and legitimate second chamber. Britain is a country distinguished by its diversity of belief. To grant privileged access to Parliament to any one of these groups is an affront to the principles of democracy and equal citizenship.
Moreover, opinion polls show that some 74% of the population – including 70% of Christians – oppose the institution of the Lords Spiritual.

Contrary to the overwhelming public sentiment, the Government continues to allow automatic seats for Church of England bishops in the House of Lords.

I urge you to make representations opposing the proposals to the Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg MP, the minister (copied in) with responsibility for constitutional reform, asking him to ensure that no special interest group is privileged in our Parliament.