Of all the outward manifestations of religious privilege embedded in the UK’s civic life, the presence of an unelected bishops’ bench in the House of Lords, comprising two archbishops and 24 bishops of the Church of England, is one of the most archaic, unfair and undemocratic.

Indeed the only other country to have similar privileges for clergy is Iran.

In an increasingly secular society, the privileged status of the Church of England is looking increasingly at odds with the reality of modern life.

After over a century of decline in religious attendance in Britain, the claim that bishops speak for any significant constituency is clearly far off the mark.

In 2019, just 12 per cent of Britons are affiliated to the Church of England.

Less than two per cent of the British population now attend Anglican services on average Sunday.

Any idea that the bishops have a special moral insight which the rest of society does not possess is insulting to the large number of non-religious people in the UK. Indeed the bishops have threatened or obstructed legislation which the majority of British people support.

For example, they attempted to prevent same-sex marriage and civil partnerships from becoming law and have opposed assisted dying – despite 79 per cent of religious people supporting a change in the law.

So who exactly are these theological fossils, surely the time has arrived to bid them farewell along with their superstitions, and progress to a full secular society?

Larry Wright

Burford Ave

Old Walcot

Parroting promises

Justin Tomlinson MP uses his Adver column to outline the five promises made by the Prime Minister as part of his attempt to persuade the British public that the Conservatives can be trusted to run the country.

Sadly, not one of the five pledges is within the capability of the government to fulfil.

The reality is that the Conservative administration has had plenty of opportunity to deal with the issues they now claim to be their priority

Promises and pledges are cheap currency for a politician. The British people can see through the opportunism of a politician and come to the next General election the people will consign the Conservatives to a well-deserved period of oblivion.

Des Morgan

Caraway Drive

Swindon

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