Does Chris Bryant MP have a point about women bishops and the House of Lords?
By Matthew Barrett
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Govt shd halt further appointment of bishops to House of Lords until#CofE allows women bishopssays@chrisbryantmp
— norman smith (@BBCNormanS) November 21, 2012
The above tweet from BBC News' chief political correspondent explains the view of Chris Bryant, the well-known backbencher and former vicar.
Most ConservativeHome readers probably don't agree with the decision of the Church of England not to allow women bishops, but will will think the Church has the right to organise and make decisions about its own affairs without interference from politicians. However, there is the interesting issue which Mr Bryant raises: by not allowing women bishops, the Church of England effectively denies women entry to the House of Lords. 26 bishops, the Lords Spiritual, sit in the upper chamber, and by keeping it an all-male operation, the Church could be said to deny women a place in parliament. Does Chris Bryant have a point?
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