Brexit

Bishop(-elect) of Sheffield: “Don’t vote Tory, or the poor will pay”

When Tom Freeman pointed out in a tweet that the tedious Tory mantra 'strong and stable leadership' fits the tune of 'All Things Bright and Beautiful', the urge to add a few lyrics was irresistible: Jolly good fun (or irritation,…

Brexit and Gibraltar: Bishop bashes Government for issuing “bland statements of optimism”

April 3, 2017
280 Comments

The Bishop of Leeds isn't happy. In a speech to the House of Lords on Brexit and Gibraltar, the Rt Rev'd Nick Baines censures the Government for being optimistic. It…

Michael Gove chosen to be next Bishop of Sheffield

April 1, 2017
43 Comments

Following hard upon the unlikely appointment of ex-chancellor George Osborne as editor of the Evening Standard, and the slightly less unlikely appointment of arch-republican Pete Broadbent as Bishop of London,…

As Brexit Bill receives Royal Assent, a lone bishop urges retention of free movement

March 14, 2017
285 Comments

By now Her Majesty will have set her seal upon the Brexit Bill: La Reyne le veult. At last we have The European Union (Notice of Withdrawal) Act, for which…

Bishops divided on Brexit Bill: moral obligation and ethical liberation

March 2, 2017
191 Comments

'Will the Bishops vote for Brexit?' was the question posed a few weeks ago. Yesterday the House of Lords voted on an amendment to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal)…

Bishop berates poor, deluded Brexiteers who voted “quixotically” to leave the EU

February 21, 2017
630 Comments

Initial coverage looked very encouraging. The BBC reported that the Rt Rev'd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, had exhorted the House of Lords to pass the European Union (Notice of…

EU withdrawal Bill clears the Commons: will the Bishops vote for Brexit?

February 9, 2017
280 Comments

It is the stuff of which our Island history is made. The House of Commons has voted overwhelmingly to give the Prime Minister leave to invoke Article 50 of the…

Gina Miller: “Brexit is about emotion. It is like a religion.” No, Ms Miller, that’s Europhilia

January 24, 2017
410 Comments

Gina Miller is leading the legal fight against the Government's use of its prerogative powers to trigger Article 50 and thereby commence the process of leaving the EU. She was…

May promises a real, clean, hard Brexit – “a truly Global Britain”

January 17, 2017
457 Comments

"The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union," Theresa May assures. And today she leaves us in no doubt about the manner of that leaving: We seek a new and…

Trump: Brexit will be a great thing; the EU is basically a German racket

January 16, 2017
139 Comments

"You look at the European Union and it’s Germany. Basically a vehicle for Germany," says Donald Trump in Michael Gove's scoop interview for The Times. It comes as a cyclone…

Is it wrong to judge a blog by the comments it attracts?

January 9, 2017
539 Comments

"I guess I find it hard to take that particular blog very seriously really," wrote the Rev'd Canon Andrew Godsall, ministry development adviser in the Diocese of Exeter, of the…

Man plans, God laughs: House of Commons votes to trigger Article 50

December 8, 2016
66 Comments

The House of Commons has voted to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – by which the UK will begin secession negotiations with the EU – by the end…

Bishop of Burnley: CofE’s agenda is set by academia, moneyed elites, and sections of the secular media

December 3, 2016
272 Comments

The Rt Rev'd Philip North, Bishop of Burnley, decided to celebrate his 50th birthday with a splash in the Church Times, which has become a veritable flash in the Daily…

Bishop of Liverpool slams Trump/Brexit voters who “bow the knee to hate”

November 21, 2016
429 Comments

Amazon have produced a warm, cuddly, interfaith Christmas ad. And it's authentic: there are no actors. A real-life vicar and a real-life imam exchange gifts (knee-pads) to help make praying…

Ukip would be safe, safer and safest with Suzanne Evans as leader

November 19, 2016
100 Comments

Ukip is about to choose a(nother) new leader. Will it be Suzanne Evans or Paul Nuttall? That's the choice (we can safely discount John Rees-Evans for.. all.. sorts.. of.. reasons..).…

“To a man and a woman.. the Democrats have morphed into Violet Elizabeth Bott”

November 18, 2016
172 Comments

Goodness, what larks! I believe it was rubber-mouthed minstrel Mr. Jagger who sang about ‘Dancing in the Street’, and now half of the United States is doing it! All because…

Would the appointment of Bishop Martyn Percy offer remedy against Justin Welby’s asserted theological ignorance?

November 14, 2016
20 Comments

Here follows Adrian Hilton's response to Martyn Percy's second letter on 'Renewal & Reform' (R&R) and the ministry and leadership of Justin Welby: Dear Martyn, Thank you for your letter.…

Article 50 judgment is no big deal: Parliament will not subvert the will of the people on Brexit

November 5, 2016
170 Comments

Has the world gone mad? What is this media hysteria? Why all the rage? Are people stupid, or is it just certain editors of certain newspapers? Who made everybody a…

NSPCC Childline: rise of Corbyn and Clinton leads to rise in young people’s anxiety

October 31, 2016
167 Comments

Thousands of young people are very worried and seeking counselling from the NSPCC's Childline for unbearable levels of anxiety. Almost 12,000, to be exact. This isn't funny: mental health issues…

Brexit, pursued by a Blair

October 29, 2016
196 Comments

"This is the chase: I am gone for ever," proclaims the old shepherd Antigonus in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, immediately before that most famous stage direction: 'Exit, pursued by a…