UK Prime Minister Burnham pushes one-day bill to let Catholics advise on bishop appointments

Andy Burnham plans to push the Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill through the House of Commons in a single day, seeking to eliminate historic statutes that prevent Catholic and Jewish prime ministers from advising the monarch on senior Church of England appointments. Labour will handle every lower-house stage on Wednesday, targeting the 1829 Roman Catholic Relief Act and the 1858 Jews Relief Act.

Because the ban remains, Burnham has temporarily handed his advisory duties to Lord Chancellor Alex Norris. The prime minister’s input on bishop, archbishop and dean selections is largely ceremonial, with candidates vetted by a church committee that includes the King’s ecclesiastical secretary. After clearing the Commons, the bill will move to the House of Lords and then require Royal Assent. The government says the measure modernises outdated law and ensures future prime ministers of any faith can fully perform their constitutional role.