Andy Burnham says he will scrap an “archaic” law that prevents Catholic prime ministers from being involved in appointing senior Church of England bishops. The proposal would remove a legal restriction tied to the prime minister’s religion and would allow the government’s usual role in the selection process to apply regardless of the premier’s faith.
The Church of England appointments in question include leadership roles such as the Archbishop of Canterbury. In the current system, the prime minister advises the monarch on who should be appointed to top Church posts, but the existing law imposes a limitation when the prime minister is Catholic. Outlets report Burnham’s comments as part of a broader effort to update or modernise outdated rules.
The coverage provided here centers on Burnham’s pledge and the effect of the law on the prime minister’s ability to participate in the bishop-appointment process. There is no additional reporting in these sources about timing, legislative mechanisms, or whether other political parties support or oppose the plan.
