Church and State

In Church and State, Andrew Partington argues that the contribution of the Church of England bishops to the House of Lords during the Thatcher years was overwhelmingly critical of the government; failed to have a significant influence in the public realm; was inefficient, being undertaken by a minority of those eligible to sit on the Bench of Bishops; and was insufficiently moral and spiritual in its content to be distinctive. On the basis of this, and the likely reduction of the number of places available for Church of England bishops in a fully reformed Second Chamber, the author argues for an evolution in the Church of England's approach to the service of its bishops in the House of Lords. He proposes the Church of England work to overcome the genuine obstacles that hinder busy diocesan bishops from contributing to the debates of the House of Lords and to its life more informally. ""Andrew Partington has written a thorough analysis of the role of the bishops in the House of Lords during the Thatcher years. This study casts light on an issue of the relations of church and state still very much alive in the early years of the twenty-first century."" --David W. Bebbington, Professor of History, University of Stirling, Stirling ""This is a fascinating and powerfully argued book. Of its relevance I have no doubt. This analysis is unsettling reading for all bishops and demands an urgent appraisal by the Church of England of the role of bishops in the House of Lords."" --George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury ""Rumors fly and accusations abound concerning the failure of the bishops to exploit their role as prophets of the Lord in the House of (human) Lords. But until now, no one has done the research to provide us with the evidence to enable us to make considered judgments. Andy Partington's work is thorough, authoritative and fascinating. He helps us understand the limitations the bishops face, the range of issues they tackle and how, during Margaret Thatcher's premiership, they were the true opposition. This book will provoke sympathy and indignation in equal measure. It is a model of careful research."" --Derek Tidball, Principal, London School of Theology ""Dr. Partington has provided a very valuable contribution to Christian thought and reflection. This is now an essential acquisition for libraries in theological colleges, departments of theology and of politics and history, and will be of considerable interest to historians and students of Anglicanism and of the British Parliament."" --Steve Walton, Senior Lecturer in Greek and New Testament Studies, and Academic Secretary, London School of Theology Andy Partington is Director of Training at London School of Theology