Appointment Of The New Archbishop Of Canterbury

EDM number 787 in 1989-90, proposed by Tony Benn on 26/03/1990.

That this House believes that the control of the Church of England by the state is a dangerous anachronism that ought to end; further believes that it is wrong both in principle, and in practice, that the appointment of archbishops and bishops should be political and hence in the hands of the Prime Minister of the day, who is not required by law to be an Anglican or even a Christian; therefore believes that the appointment of a new Archbishop of Canterbury ought to be the sole responsibility of the Church of England, over which he will be required to exercise his leadership; therefore requests the Synod to determine, by whatever means it believes best, the name of the person it wishes to succeed Dr Runcie and to put forward that name and no other; and calls upon the Prime Minister to accept that nomination and convey it, without question, for the formal approval of Crown.

This motion has been signed by a total of 21 MPs.