A Bill to provide for bishops of the Church of England no longer to be entitled to membership of the House of Lords
House of Lords
5 May 2021
The House of Lords (Removal of Bishops) Bill would stop bishops of the Church of England from being members of the House of Lords. In effect, the Lords would no longer include Church of England bishops, and they would not sit or vote there; bishops from other churches would not be affected. The change targets only Church of England bishops.
The bill is at the second reading in the House of Lords. If it passes, it would continue through the usual Lords stages and, if approved, move to the House of Commons for consideration.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 28 January. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The 2019-2021 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
