My goodness I got excited when I cybered up to the cloistered walls of Durham University to see what Peter Philips had to say on his Post Modern Bible blog. Apparently 10 Anglican Bishops have come out in favour of AV. Wow! Anglicans embracing the authorised version! I thought the commemorations to mark the original 1611 publication had come a long way.
Then I got to the third paragraph and realised Peter was writing about the alternative vote proposals now before the House of Lords. But why should that be of interest to Bishops? Because the Church of England is able to nominate 26 Bishops to this second house of parliament.
Now some of my best friends are Anglicans, one of the finest members of the Lords I knew was a bishop. But what on earth are we doing having a legislature that automatically includes 26 bishops from England? And what are they doing pronouncing on a voting system for the House of Commons? Anglican clergy don't vote!
The sooner we reform the Lords the better.
Then I got to the third paragraph and realised Peter was writing about the alternative vote proposals now before the House of Lords. But why should that be of interest to Bishops? Because the Church of England is able to nominate 26 Bishops to this second house of parliament.
Now some of my best friends are Anglicans, one of the finest members of the Lords I knew was a bishop. But what on earth are we doing having a legislature that automatically includes 26 bishops from England? And what are they doing pronouncing on a voting system for the House of Commons? Anglican clergy don't vote!
The sooner we reform the Lords the better.
