Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of Leeds makes first speech in the House of Lords – constitution, devolution, economy

“Give a voice to the experience of those who otherwise are silenced. This is why the Lords spiritual are here, rooted in communities across the whole of our country, networked internationally, informed, often inconveniently and compelled to tell the truth as they see it. I hope to fulfil this vocation with the humility and confidence that it surely demands”. – Bishop of Leeds, 1/6/15

On 1st June 2015 the Bishop of Leeds spoke for the first time in the House of Lords. In his address, which came during the debate on the Queen’s Speech, he spoke of his background in the Church of England, his diocese, constitutional change, Europe and how economic and devolution proposals might impact on places such as Bradford. The full text is below and can also be watched online here.

Bp Leeds June 2015The Lord Bishop of Leeds (Maiden Speech): My Lords, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this debate, especially given the kindness I have already met in this House since being introduced in February. I wish to express my gratitude to all sides of the House for the welcome I have received and particularly to the staff, who have assisted and advised me, sometimes on the same issue more than once. This coming Saturday I will be speaking in Stuttgart before thousands of people along with Kofi Annan and the German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. At least today I can address this House in English. Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds makes first speech in the House of Lords – constitution, devolution, economy”

Bishop of Leicester speaks on constitutional reform, devolution, human rights and welfare in debate on Queen’s Speech

“A no vote on the EU would hasten the demise of the Union and lead within a generation to a rump nation shorn of Scotland and of membership of the EU and without strategic influence internationally.”- Bishop of Leicester, 1/6/15

On 1st June 2015 the Bishop of Leicester, Rt Rev Tim Stevens, spoke in the debate on the Queen’s Speech, on constitutional, human rights, local government, devolution and welfare reform issues. The full text of his speech is below and it can also be watched online here.

LeicesterThe Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, as the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, has reminded us, the Prime Minister has offered us what he calls,

“a clear programme for working people, social justice, and bringing our country together—put simply, a One Nation Queen’s Speech from a One Nation Government”.

It is therefore clearly our responsibility to evaluate the Government’s programme against that yardstick, and to measure the gracious Speech on its potential for national unity and social justice, at every point. Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester speaks on constitutional reform, devolution, human rights and welfare in debate on Queen’s Speech”

The Bishop of Norwich presses Government on Humanitarian Aid for Libya

On Monday 1st June 2015 Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty’s Government what progress they and their international partners have made in deterring the trafficking of migrants and creating safe havens in North Africa and the Middle East. The Bishop of Norwich asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My L14.06.12 Bishop of Norwichords, what will become of the refugees and migrants who are trapped in Libya? Since neighbouring countries have closed their borders and current plans are to sink the boats that are smuggling people from Libya, are these refugees and migrants simply consigned to certain abuse and death? Can we do nothing at all to help them? Continue reading “The Bishop of Norwich presses Government on Humanitarian Aid for Libya”

Bishop of Southwark on Middle East Peace and Role of Churches in Delivering Aid

On Thursday 28th May the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, spoke during the debate on the Queen’s Speech. He focused on the Middle East, the importance of a two-state solution for Israel/Palestine and the partnership role between churches and Government in delivering overseas aid. The full text of his speech is below and a video can be viewed here.

Bp Southwark May 2015The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, it was encouraging to hear the commitment of Her Majesty’s Government in the gracious Speech to various foreign policy objectives in the Middle East. The chaos in the Middle East is all too familiar and arises not from isolated pockets of trouble but from multiple interconnected challenges. Syria’s misery shows no sign of ending; Libya appears torn in half; ISIS continues to make gains in Iraq; and Yemen appears to be sliding into a humanitarian crisis. We are confronted by a Middle East that is coming apart at the seams. These are problems that will not just evaporate. They need careful attention and strategic patience, and I encourage Her Majesty’s Government to remain vigilant to broader aims throughout the region, as well as giving appropriate attention to the constituent parts. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark on Middle East Peace and Role of Churches in Delivering Aid”

Bishop of Coventry speaks on religious freedom and conflict resolution during Queen’s Speech debate

On Thursday 28th May during the debate on the Queen’s Speech, the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth, spoke about our moral debt to other nations, conflict resolution and freedom of religion and belief worldwide. The text of his speech is below and can also be watched online here.

Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, indebtedness is debilitating, and living beyond our means is irresponsible. We know that our Government have committed themselves afresh to a long-term strategic economic plan to deal with that on a financial level, but another sort of indebtedness is liberating and is fundamental to our proceedings today. It is a recognition of our moral debt to others and the fulfilment of our responsibilities to serve the common good, not only of our one nation but of the one world. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry speaks on religious freedom and conflict resolution during Queen’s Speech debate”

Mentions of Religion and Faith in Party General Election Manifestos

The manifestos of the main parties standing for the Westminster General Election on 7th May 2015 have now been published. There are many issues across the full range of policies on which Christians and those of other faiths will be interested. The following is not an analysis of these, but are manifesto extracts where religion, faith and belief are given explicit mention in the text.

469px-Ballot_Box_Silhouette.svgLinks to the full manifestos of each party are to be found below, along with a collection of links to Christian and other faith bodies hosting material on the General Election. Continue reading “Mentions of Religion and Faith in Party General Election Manifestos”

Bishops and General Election statements – past and present

The 2015 General Election was the first time that the Church of England’s House of Bishops published a document. But past recent General Elections saw statements issued by Archbishops. Summaries of those from 2001, 2005 and 2010 are below. Continue reading “Bishops and General Election statements – past and present”

Summary: Who Is My Neighbour? House of Bishops’ Letter for the General Election

On 17th February 2015 the House of Bishops published ‘Who Is My Neighbour? – A Letter from the House of Bishops to the People and Parishes of the Church
of England for the General Election 2015′.

Who is my neighbour

Continue reading “Summary: Who Is My Neighbour? House of Bishops’ Letter for the General Election”

Church of England Week in Westminster 23rd-27th March 2015

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

cropped-palace_of_westminster_london_-_feb_2007.jpgThis week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Modern Slavery Bill, the 2015 Budget statement, the EU & Russia, NHS public contracts, immigration detention and construction regulations.

The bishops also asked questions on rural deprivation, Nigeria’s Presidential election, the extractives industry and mental health,

The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act was granted Royal Assent. Parliament was prorogued and will return after the General Election in May.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 23rd-27th March 2015”

Immigration detention – speech by Bishop of Peterborough

On 26th March 2015 Lord Lloyd of Berwick led a short debate, “to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Report of the Inquiry into the Use of Immigration Detention in the United Kingdom, published on 3 March”. The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Revd Donald Allister, spoke in the debate, which was the last of the 2010-15 Parliament and the final contribution of Lord Lloyd, who was to retire.

14.02 PeterboroughThe Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, from these Benches I too pay tribute to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Lloyd, and thank him in particular for his service as chairman of the Ecclesiastical Committee of Parliament. He has chaired the committee for 13 years with a forensic eye for detail. He has taken the time and made the effort, as we know is typical of him, to understand the Church of England—and has maintained a sense of humour. It is remarkable and we are hugely grateful. He has also been a friend to many of us, for which we are also grateful. We wish him very much happiness in his retirement, not least in his lambing next month.

I was shocked and distressed to read this report. I did not take part in the inquiry but some of the facts that are presented here—which were to some extent in the public domain anyway but are now made clear before us—are deeply distressing. Continue reading “Immigration detention – speech by Bishop of Peterborough”