Research Finds Bishops Exerting More Political Influence in House of Lords

New research published by the public theology think tank Theos has revealed that bishops are playing an increasingly significant role in the House of Lords.

The findings are contained in the report, 'Coming off the bench, The past, present and future of religious representation in the House of Lords'.

The report analyses the contribution of bishops in the upper chamber during the Thatcher and Blair premierships and concludes that the 26 Anglican prelates are attending, voting and speaking more than they did during the 1980s, says Theos.

During the 1980s, bishops attended the House of Lords on an average of just 12 per cent of sitting days. Since 1997, however, this figure has steadily increased to over 18 per cent in 2004/05.

The increased attendance of bishops in the Lords has been accompanied by an increase in participation.

In the 2004/05 session they voted in over half of divisions, compared with just above 20 per cent in the 1980s.