The Green Party is targeting one of Britain’s oldest institutions: the official Church of England. Their shock plan? Strip the Church’s privileged status and kick its bishops out of the House of Lords.
Green Party’s Radical Church Shake-Up
- Stop the Prime Minister from appointing the Archbishop of Canterbury.
- Make the Church of England fully self-governing.
- Remove 26 Church of England bishops (Lords Spiritual) from the House of Lords.
- Abolish Church representation in the House of Commons.
- Ensure no state job is given or denied based on religion.
This would end a tradition going back to Henry VIII’s 1534 Act of Supremacy, which broke England away from Rome. The monarch still leads the Church, and Church law influences English and Welsh law.
Britain’s Faith in Flux
Surveys reveal just 39% of Brits see the UK as a Christian country. Half say it isn’t Christian anymore, and 13% say it never really was. Yet, 52% worry dropping Christian roots could harm future generations, while 58% believe Christianity still positively shapes the government.
Despite fewer churchgoers, Bible sales jumped 19% last year—the biggest rise since 1998—signalling a surprising spike in interest in faith.
Fierce Criticism and Calm Commentary
Former PM Liz Truss slammed the Greens: “You have to be an Islamo-Commie nutjob to conclude Britain’s problem is too much Christianity.”
By contrast, religious experts call for a cooler head. Lord Chartres, former Bishop of London, says the Church is already “the most disestablished church in Europe,” noting its tiny public funding despite owning nearly half of England’s top historic buildings. Dr Jonathan Chaplin highlights secularisation and shrinking congregations are challenging the Church’s role as the nation’s church.
The Battle Ahead
The fate of this bold Green gambit hinges on the political climate before the next General Election. One thing is certain: Britain’s centuries-old bond with the Church of England is facing its biggest test yet.
