British Humanist Offical Urges End To Bishops' Seats In House of Lords

Ekklesia yesterday reported that in connection with discussions by the British government about House of Lords reform, Hanne Stinson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association, has urged that the practice of automatically setting aside 26 seats for bishops of the Church of England be ended. The House of Lords has a total of 746 members. In the past there have been suggestions about expanding representation to other religious groups, but Congregationalists, Quakers and others have objected to "religious representation" on principle. Stinson has urged that all appointment of Lords be solely on merit.