The Bishop of Rochester asked a question on the need to uphold standards in public office on 27th April 2021, following a Commons statement on dealing with potential breaches of the ministerial code:
The Lord Bishop of Rochester: My Lords, I will not advise on internal decorations, but I observe that, by virtue of being here, we are all inhabitants of glass houses. We note the adage that being in a glass house makes us visible, so it is wise to behave in ways that do not disgrace this place or ourselves. We often hear words from or about Ministers and others in public office to the effect that he or she did not “break the rules”. Is that not to set the bar fairly low? Does the Minister agree that, while we are all fallible human beings, we, in public office, should aspire to the highest possible standards of probity and behaviour and not simply settle for keeping the rules? If we do not, public opinion will lead to ever tighter rules.
Lord True (Con): I wholly agree with what the right reverend Prelate has said to the House.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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